Better Homes opens door to 44 per cent higher energy efficiency and 31 per cent lower bills

Energy improvements that have improved a York home’s energy efficiency rating by 44 per cent and cut heating and hot water costs by 31 per cent, will be on show on 18 August.

energy-efficient-homes-diagramthis-is-redcar-cleveland-your-home-zxa0ifdpBetter Homes York, in partnership with City of York Council, will hold an open day at the programme’s demonstration home between 10:00 and 13:00hrs.

The property at Carnot Street, York is a mid-terrace house which, before a programme of Government-funded improvements, lacked adequate insulation or heating. Its previous tenants had complained that it was cold, damp and expensive to heat.

The show home was selected following a call to all of the city’s private landlords registered on the council’s YorHome scheme. The council allocated funding from Better Homes York and installed internal wall insulation and fitted a new gas central heating system. Because of its solid wall construction, the house’s insulation is fitted to the inside of the wall and so doesn’t affect the house’s external appearance. The house also had rising damp which made its heating inefficient and expensive. Following damp treatment, a type of insulation for the rooms downstairs was chosen which allows the walls to breathe and dry naturally.

The work has increased the house’s energy efficiency rating by 44 per cent and decreased the expected heating and hot water costs by 31 per cent.

Councillor David Carr, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “We are very aware that some of our most vulnerable residents live in privately rented homes. Our research shows that these can be some of the coldest, hardest to heat houses and we have set out to show what owners can do to improve the quality, value and cost-effectiveness of these homes.”

Councillor Waller, Executive Member for Environment, said: “Not only can all residents reduce their heating costs through this kind of work, but it also protects properties from deterioration and reduces their impact on climate change.”

Mark Pheasey, Framework Director, Better Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with City of York Council to  help homeowners live in warmer, healthier, cheaper to heat homes.  Hopefully this show home will encourage other homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their home.”

To attend the open day, please email housing.standards@york.gov.uk.
Landlords and residents interested in investigating insulating their own properties should call Better Homes York on 0800 597 1500 or 0113 897 0977 Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm Sat 9am-1pm. To receive a personalised offer in four simple steps, complete the on-line form atwww.betterhomesyorkshire.co.uk

Better Homes York is complemented by the Big Community Switch in York. The aim of this scheme is to make it easy and simple for residents to consider switching energy providers. The council is working with iChoosr to use ‘collective purchasing power’ to secure better energy tariff deals for everyone.

Anyone who pays a household energy bill can register for free at http://bigcommunityswitch.ichoosr.com/Product/index.rails?&utm_medium=web&location=york, including pre payment meter customers and those without gas. Registration is easy: all that’s needed is a recent fuel bill or annual statement.

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