Thousands of homes are to benefit from cheaper heating bills thanks to a £20m energy saving scheme.
Over the next three years, 1,425 households in Kirklees – and 1,355 homes in Calderdale – are expected to receive help in buying energy saving equipment as part of the Better Homes Yorkshire programme.
The scheme will offer residents of private and social housing projects such as subsidised boilers, central heating systems, loft and wall insulation together with renewable energy systems and smaller improvements.
The programme is a partnership between the Leeds City Region, which includes Kirklees and Calderdale and other local authorities and private companies such as construction companies Keepmoat and Willmott Dixon.
It aims to improve the energy efficiency of over 12,000 homes in West Yorkshire as well as create jobs and apprenticeships in the county.
Martin Smithurst for Better Homes Yorkshire said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions and fuel poverty in this ground breaking initiative across Leeds City Region and make the homes of Yorkshire healthier, warmer and more energy efficient places to live.
“Between Keepmoat and Willmott Dixon, we have extensive knowledge and expertise in working to reduce customer’s energy bills and this combined with our Decent Homes experience will benefit householders across the Leeds City Region”.
Clr David Sheard, Leader of Kirklees Council said: “Kirklees Council is delighted to be a partner in the Better Homes programme. We are committed to finding ways to make heating more affordable and improving quality of life for our residents.
“The programme will bring additional benefits for the local economy and environment through the creation of jobs and training opportunities and a reduction in household carbon emissions”
“This programme will also bring job, apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people.”
Eligibility for the initial offer is based on property type and suitability for measures, together with locality which affects the level of energy company obligation funding available. As this will vary from district to district, those who are eligible will be contacted with the offer by the Better Homes scheme contractor.
The scheme will be open to applications from all owner occupiers and privately renting tenants, from Spring 2015.
Whether the householder is eligible for funding and the level of funding will be dependent on property type, location of property and benefits status.
