Council announces £24m energy saving scheme for council homes

The authority is currently tendering for a company to design, develop and deliver six new district heating networks that it says will reduce carbon emissions, help residents save money and improve the wellbeing and comfort of those living in council properties.

The scheme is said to potentially use ground and air source heat pumps or biomass systems, to provide residents with more sustainable and affordable heat.

The £24 million investment follows the success of Leeds’ first district heating network, which will provide low carbon waste-powered heat to 1,983 homes by the end of 2020.

In Leeds, around a quarter of the city’s carbon emissions come from the energy used to provide heat and hot water in our homes.

Coun Debra Coupar, the council’s deputy leader, said: “Earlier this year, I met with council tenants already experiencing the benefits of being connected to Leeds’ first low carbon district heating network.

“Thanks to this major new investment in six new district heating networks thousands more residents will soon be able to stay warm for less too, which we know can make a real difference to our physical and financial wellbeing.

“Not only will this investment directly benefit many residents for years to come, it will also help decarbonise more of the city’s homes—and cut the council’s own carbon footprint—as we lead by example and work towards becoming a carbon neutral city.”

Neil Evans, the council’s director of resources and housing, said: “As the largest social housing provider in West Yorkshire, we know that council homes have a significant impact on the city’s carbon footprint and we take that responsibility seriously.

“The average Leeds City Council property is already more energy efficient and cheaper to keep warm than its private sector counterpart and we will continue to invest in our buildings to help our tenants and reduce our environmental impact.

“This major new investment in green technologies and district heating networks is a great example of that and builds upon actions that we are already taking to improve energy efficiency, such as retrofitting older council homes and requiring new build council homes to meet a minimum B rating.”