Hundreds of tenants in North Yorkshire are set to benefit from energy-saving upgrades, as North Yorkshire Council begins its latest phase of improvements across 150 socially rented homes. With a focus on reducing bills and enhancing home comfort, the council’s scheme will address properties most impacted by outdated insulation and heating systems, especially in rural villages near Harrogate, Selby, and Richmond.
These upgrades target rural homes, which tend to be older and more prone to insulation issues. North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for climate change, Cllr Greg White, said, “Improving the energy efficiency of homes across the county is vital for protecting the environment and alleviating pressure on residents during this cost of living crisis. I’m sure that the planned improvements… will make a significant benefit to our communities.”
This initiative is part of the council’s broader commitment to becoming the UK’s first carbon-negative region by 2040. The project recently gained momentum through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), with North Yorkshire Council receiving £1.7 million in government funding. To secure these funds, the council highlighted previous retrofit projects where underperforming homes were successfully upgraded, effectively tackling fuel poverty and cutting down energy bills for residents.
For tenants like Barbara Rickards, who lives in a village near Harrogate, the upgrades have been life-changing. “Since the retrofit, there has been a significant difference in my home,” she said. “I have heating and hot water all the time, and I don’t have to struggle with coal or cleaning the fire out… saving money – which makes me happy.”
The council’s collaboration with Align Property Partners, its building design consultancy, has been instrumental in delivering these upgrades. Align’s expertise has helped hundreds of homes across North Yorkshire become more energy-efficient. Recently, the council and Align earned national recognition for their efforts, with North Yorkshire Council named Local Authority of the Year and Align securing awards in social responsibility at the 2024 Energy Efficiency Awards.
Ron Walton, managing director at Align, said, “Through our work with North Yorkshire Council, we have provided hundreds of residents… with vital energy-saving solutions. We want to be the property consultant of choice, spearheading net zero transformation.”
North Yorkshire residents can find more information about keeping homes warm and reducing energy bills on the North Yorkshire Council website.
