A number of Kirklees residents are continuing to celebrate after their homes underwent a ‘full house’ transformation, thanks to an innovative retrofitting programme lead by Kirklees Council and Michael Dyson Associates.

The scheme, intends to help residents tackle the rising cost of living, exemplifies how retrofitting new systems designed for high energy efficiency, onto existing housing stock, can significantly tackle fuel poverty whilst reducing domestic carbon emissions.

Following a number of consultations with the tenants of eight (8no) council properties in Abbey Road, Far Town, the Kirklees Homes and Neighbourhoods team came up with an ambitious plan after realising just how severe an impact fuel poverty and the general rising cost of living was having on their tenant’s day-to-day lives.

Using a ‘fabric first’ approach, the eight properties have been transformed beyond all recognition. They now benefit from numerous energy saving measures which will help to reduce ongoing energy costs. Measures include:

• External wall insulation, loft insulation top-up and cavity wall insulation.
• The addition of photovoltaic panels, solar thermal panels and solar powered heat pumps to generate renewable solar energy.
• The removal of gas boilers and cookers to end the reliance on fossil fuel.
• New roofs fitted.
• Chimneys dropped to remove a possible cold bridging.
• Triple glazed windows and new thermally efficient doors.

Early estimates show that these green technologies have reduced the properties’ carbon emissions by a staggering 50% to 75%; saving tenants between £190 to £350 a year on their energy bills.

Councillor Cathy Scott, Cabinet member for Housing and Democracy, and Deputy Leader of the Council, said:

“Through this pilot, Kirklees Council is looking at a project that could significantly contribute to our efforts in tackling the climate emergency and our aim to be carbon neutral by 2038.  We are hopeful that these eight properties will demonstrate that existing housing can be redesigned to use renewable energy instead of fossil fuels; and with the use of effective insulation, the carbon footprint of these properties can be diminished to net zero.”

“Skills and regeneration are key priorities for us in Kirklees, and this small-scale pilot has the potential to lead to larger projects in the future that will create opportunities for the people of Kirklees to learn a new skillset and get involved in innovative technologies.”

Labour leader Sir Kier Starmer was also left ‘really impressed’ after visiting the scheme in March of this year.

He said: “It’s a positive way forward, the residents are really happy because they’ve got warmer, quieter homes; and every month when the bill drops through the door it’s much lower than it was before.”

“That has to be part of the way forward. This is great, it proves the concept. Well done Kirklees for showing the way.”

It is understood that the performance of the measures on the eight properties will be closely monitored to inform future schemes. The council have pledged to remain in close contact with the tenants to gain a fuller understanding of their cost savings, as well as the other positive effects that the refurbishment works continue to have on their lives.