Improving the energy efficiency of our homes
We own and manage over 22,000 homes across Kirklees, a big part of managing these homes is making sure they are energy efficient. When a property is re-let, we carry out an Energy Performance Certificate assessment to get a rating which determines if a property is performing well or not.
- Ratings A, B or C - the property is performing well and does not require any energy efficiency work. Your home is insulated and has an efficient heating system.
- Ratings D or below - the property may be considered for improvement works to make it more energy efficient, this is called retrofitting.
The Energy Team
Our purpose is to improve the energy efficiency of our homes and make them more comfortable and affordable places to live.
Through retrofitting, we are improving existing buildings to reduce the heat demand and in turn, reduce the amount of carbon used in the building. The retrofit work is contributing to us achieving our ambition to become carbon neutral by 2038 - a key part of the Climate Change Action Plan for Kirklees
Using the expertise we have in our team, we review the Energy Performance Certificate rating of our properties and build a programme of works to raise the energy efficiency in each home, focussing on those that are currently a rating D or below.
Measures we use in Kirklees
External wall insulation is a thermally insulated, protective material that is used to reduce heat loss in your home. This is installed with an external cladding to the outside of the building.
External wall insulation transforms your home into a warm, energy efficient place to be whilst improving the look of your home from the outside.
Cavity wall insulation is used to reduce the heat loss through a cavity wall by filling the empty space with a suitable material, installing this type of insulation will help save money on heating your home.
Loft insulation is material placed in your loft to reduce heat loss through the roof which keeps the living spaces below warmer for longer. It also stops cold air from outside entering your property, meaning you don't have to heat your home.
Solar panels are placed on your roof to capture the suns energy and convert it into electricity. Using appliances during good daylight hours, peaking in summer and midday, will help reduce electricity bills.
An air source heat pump is a sustainable alternative to a gas boiler, it takes heat from the air to heat your home and hot water system.
With a heat pump your radiators will not get as hot as a conventional boiler but they will be sized to adequately heat your home. A heat pump requires a hot water cylinder to be used alongside it to provide hot water.
Retrofit projects
Our pilot retrofit scheme in Fartown, Huddersfield.
We carried out a retrofit pilot in Fartown, Huddersfield where 8 of our properties needed improvements to make them more energy efficient.
We installed several measures to each property including, air source heat pumps, solar panels, insulation to the cavity walls, external wall and loft, new roofs and new windows and doors.
After the works were completed, the Energy Performance Certificate rating was increased from a D to A and B, making them much more energy efficient, warmer and more comfortable to live in.
Following this pilot scheme, we moved away from a whole house retrofit and instead we install one or two more affordable measures to make improvements with the funding available to us.
If your home is identified as eligible for one of our retrofit projects, our experienced Quality Liaison Officers will guide you through the process from start to finish, including any surveys that we need to carry out.
Funding and Partnership working
The funding that supports us in delivering any energy efficient work to our properties comes from the Government. There is specific criteria and timescales that are set by the Government's Department of Energy Security and Net Zero which we follow.
We also work closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority who coordinate the Government funding for Kirklees.
Energy saving tips
You may be concerned about your own energy usage - to help we have put together some tips to save energy and money in your home.
- Swap a bath for a shower and spend less time in the shower to save around £12 per year.
- Use the economy or 30 degrees setting on your washing machine and only use it when it's full to save around £28 per year.
- Only boil the water needed when making hot drinks to save around £36 per year.
- Leaving appliances like TVs, computers, microwaves and phone chargers on stand-by uses electricity. Turn them off at the socket or unplug them to save around £55 per year.
- Turning the thermostat down by 1 degree could cut heating bills by up to 10% and saves around £60 per year.
- Try not to cover radiators with curtains or block to save around £45 per year.
- Turn radiators down in rooms which are only used occasionally, otherwise you are paying to heat a room not being used.
- When cooking, put lids on pans to keep the heat in and cook food faster.
- Switch lights off when not in use to save around £20 per year. You could also replace halogen bulbs with LEDs to reduce costs.
- Close all doors to keep each room warm.
Top five energy consuming appliances in your household
- Wet appliances - washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers account for 14% of the average energy bill.
- Cold appliances - fridge freezers account for around 13% of the average energy bill. These appliances are on 24 hours a day and could last 17 years - it's a good idea to invest in an energy efficient one to reduce costs.
- Cooking - kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle and microwave account for around 4% of an average energy bill.
- Consumer electronics - Laptops, TVs and game consoles account for 6% of an average energy bill. To save money, you could buy energy efficient electronics.
- Cooking: Around 4% of our energy bill is spent on powering kitchen appliances, including the hob, oven, kettle and microwave.
- Lighting - accounts for around 5% of an average energy bill.
If you're struggling with the cost of your bills, our Money advice team can help.
Contact the Energy team
You can contact the Energy team by Contact Energy Team.