Two empty Council houses are being given energy-efficient revamps and will become temporary demonstration homes before being re-let to new tenants.
The new tenants will benefit from a warm healthy home with reduced heating bills.
The first council house to be renovated is a Victorian mid-terrace in Clementhorpe, and the next one will be a 1950s semi-detached house in Clifton. Both homes are similar to many in York,
The YorEnergy partnership is behind both retrofits and aims to give residents ideas and advice to make their homes more comfortable, energy-efficient and lower their carbon footprint. YorEnergy offers a friendly all-in-one service to guide residents through the process of making energy-efficient changes to their own homes.
YorEnergy is delivered by a consortium of partners who are collaborating in the Retrofit One Stop Shop York project. Its key focus is on taking a local approach to achieving net zero in York, and offers a friendly all-in-one service to guide residents through the process of making energy-efficient changes to their own homes.
Staff from the partnership’s contractor Wrapt Homes, will show and discuss how a property’s original features can be kept or restored during the improvement process. These include the latest insulation materials for internal or external walls, underfloor or lofts, alongside new insulating-quality plaster, double glazing and a heat recovery ventilation system.
The wall insulation used in the Clementhorpe terrace is much thinner than might be imagined, and is made from natural wood fibre to ensure the breathability of traditionally-built, older homes. By increasing its warmth while maintaining good air flow and ventilation, the right insulation will reduce the risk of condensation and mould growing which can cause health problems for the household.
A low-noise air source heat pump (ASHP) has been fitted in a corner of the back garden in Clementhorpe. The ASHP transfers heat from the outside air to water in the central heating system and the hot water cylinder hidden in the understairs cupboard. In addition to cutting carbon, the ASHP will be three times more efficient, than the gas boiler it has replaced. Supplying free electricity to the ASHP will be solar photovoltaic panels which will to help keep the tenant’s electricity bills low.
After acting as temporary demonstration homes, these houses will be re-let to Council tenants who will benefit from lower running costs and improved comfort.
Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council, said:
Visiting the house in Clementhorpe was an eye-opener; a traditional York terraced house can be future proofed. It shows that being well-insulated doesn’t mean having to compromise the look of your home or give up lots of room; it’s about improving the space you have and making it quieter, more comfortable and affordable to run - whatever the weather.”
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:
With concerns about rising energy costs and climate change, it’s important that we understand the options available to improve the quality homes in York. Investing in these energy efficient measures is repaid in better and healthier homes which is good for everyone: homeowners, tenants and landlords.”
Jamie Keats, Director at Wrapt Homes, low-energy homes experts, said:
It’s really exciting to work on this showcase project and demonstrate that any home, no matter its age, can achieve energy efficiency. Work will soon begin on the semi-detached Council house in Clifton.”
Work on the house in Clementhorpe is due to complete by March 2025 when tours will be available. You can express your interest in visiting the energy-efficient show homes on the YorEnergy website: yorenergy.co.uk/events-programme.
A partnership of eight organisations is delivering a Retrofit One Stop Shop York (ROSSY) project via www.yorenergy.co.uk in York. It offers tailored advice and support for York residents to make their homes more energy efficient, thanks to £3 million from Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living Demonstrator programme.
The partnership consists of City of York Council, Brightsparks Agency Ltd, Energy Systems Catapult Limited, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, Wrapt Homes Ltd, University of York SEI Institute, York Community Energy CBS Limited, and Abundance Investment Ltd.