Leeds City Council launches green energy upgrade scheme

Leeds City Council, in an effort to enhance energy efficiency in local homes, has rolled out a new initiative aimed at providing homeowners, renters, and landlords in Leeds with free or significantly discounted green energy solutions. 

The new scheme is part of a broader strategy to address energy inefficiency in the city's residential sector, especially in properties that lack gas central heating.

Working collaboratively with Everwarm Ltd, an energy services provider, the council's Home Energy Help team is set to utilise a substantial £15.5 million government fund allocated for Leeds under the Home Upgrade Grant. With a deadline set for March 2025, the scheme aims to maximise the impact of this funding on local households.

The array of upgrades on offer includes various insulation types, heat pumps, solar panels, and electric radiators. These measures are targeted at reducing heat loss in buildings, thereby making them more affordable and easier to heat to a comfortable level.

For homeowners meeting the eligibility criteria, these energy-saving improvements will be available at no cost. Landlords, on the other hand, can access these enhancements with a two-thirds reduction in price.

Once an application is successful, Everwarm will collaborate with the applicants to select and install the most effective combination of upgrades for enhancing the energy efficiency of their properties. Applications are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis, underlining the urgency for interested parties to apply.

The initiative is particularly significant given the context of British homes being among the least energy-efficient in Europe. In 2021, less than half of Leeds' privately rented or owned homes achieved an energy-efficiency rating of 'C' or higher. Moreover, the issue of fuel poverty is acute in Leeds, with 17.6% of households in 2020 falling into this category, defined as living in inefficient homes and having incomes below the poverty line after accounting for energy bills.

Improving home energy efficiency aligns with the council’s Best City Ambition, aiming to enhance health, alleviate poverty, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint.