MAXIMISING energy efficiency and lowering bills in the county’s homes and buildings is the aim of a major strategy adopted by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) today.
The Retrofit Strategy lays out how York and North Yorkshire will support the use of low carbon energy technology to boost growth, skills and jobs, while reducing greenhouse gasses and bringing lower bills for all.
With the region’s residents facing rising fuel bills, YNYCA will work with the local authorities, the retrofit industry, and community organisations to support the transition of existing buildings away from fossil fuels, with technology such as solar, air source heat pumps and the latest insulation.
York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith said: “Everyone in York and North Yorkshire deserves a warm, comfortable home with energy bills they can afford.
"We're proud of our county's heritage, but with more than a quarter of our homes built a century ago, we have the opportunity to cut energy costs by upgrading our housing stock with modern technology.
“Our new Retrofit Strategy sets out a clear plan to go further and faster to make our buildings fit for the future while tackling fuel poverty, building local supply chains and unlocking new green jobs."
The Retrofit Strategy has been developed with key partners and the results of a public consultation last year. Retrofit is also a major element in helping the region reach its goal of becoming England’s first carbon negative region by 2040.
To meet that ambition, the Strategy outlines an ambition of 250,000 homes achieving an Energy Performance Certificate of C or higher, and retrofitting over 62% of existing business premises by 2038.
Carolyn Frank of the Federation of Master Builders, and Chair of the Retrofit Strategy Partner Advisory Group, said: "The adoption of the strategy means the start of increased delivery and unlocking the opportunity that all partners have identified after thorough research and knowledge sharing.
“With so many homeowners considering not just saving money through retrofit for energy efficiency but also making home improvements for increased comfort, we need more skilled high-quality builders to deliver for them and investment in upskilling will be needed to ensure this huge amount of work is done to a high standard.
“There is a need for a long-term approach to workforce development that supports both existing tradespeople and the next generation entering the industry.”
Nick Atkin, chair of the York and North Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said: "Our region is home to some of the country's oldest and least energy-efficient homes, many of which were never designed for today's climate challenges or energy costs.
“Housing associations across York and North Yorkshire, with support from the Mayor and local authorities, are leading the way in retrofitting homes to make them warmer, healthier and more affordable to live in, while tackling fuel poverty and cutting carbon emissions.
“Our partnership strongly supports this strategy. This is not just an environmental priority. It is an economic and social necessity that will improve lives and support sustainable growth.”
The Retrofit Strategy was formerly adopted by YNYCA’s cabinet on Friday, however work has already begun on supporting major retrofitting projects throughout the region. At Honeysuckle House, an independent living community in York, run by City of York Council, YNYCA’s Net Zero Fund has supported the improvement of life for residents, through a new energy efficient heating system.
Residents George and Di Harris said they had seen their monthly winter fuel bills drop from £100 to £60.
Mr Harris said: “Having angina, I feel the heat and the cold. With this system, it’s easier to keep the flat at a constant temperature using the new thermostat.
“We’ve had a whole winter with it, and I like it better than the old storage heaters. Once we learned how to use them, the heaters are much easier to control – and they look better too.”
To find out more on the Retrofit Strategy head to the YNYCA dedicated webpage