Leeds - Your Area
Low-income homeowners in Leeds can now apply for free solar panels and insulation.
Eligible residents will be able to install energy-saving technology—including solar panels, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and, in some areas, external wall insulation—completely free of charge. Leeds City Council has secured £5.6m of funding provided by the Green Home Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme, to make nearly 685 of the city’s coldest homes healthier, warmer, and cheaper with energy-saving measures.
This scheme operates on a first-come, first-served basis so it is important to apply today if you are interested. To find out more about the scheme and how to apply, click apply now at the top of this page or call Better Homes Yorkshire on 0800 597 1500.
Free solar panels and/or insulation for eligible homeowners
Qualifying homeowners in Leeds can now apply to receive free solar panels and/or cavity wall insulation.
Solar panels generate clean, green energy whilst insulation keeps cold air out by retaining heat and keeping your home cosy. By saving energy, these upgrades could cut the bills of a typical Leeds household by around £156 per year.
To qualify for the scheme, you must:
- Have a household income of less than £30,000 per year (or receive certain benefits);
- Own or have mortgaged an inefficient* home;
*Please note that only homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G are eligible to receive free upgrades. Don’t worry about knowing your property’s EPC rating before applying as this will be confirmed with a quick survey on the property by our team.
Eligible landlords can get two-thirds off the cost of installing solar panels and/or insulation
Landlords can now receive a grant of up to £5,000 or two-thirds of the total cost (whichever is lower) to pay for solar panels and/or cavity wall insulation.
Solar panels generate clean, green energy whilst insulation keeps cold air out by retaining heat and keeping your home cosy. By making your home more efficient and cheaper to run, these upgrades could increase the value of your property.
To qualify for the scheme, landlords must:
- Own or have mortgaged an inefficient* home with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G.
- Rent the property to tenants who have a combined household income of less than £30,000 per year.
*Please note that only homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G are eligible to receive free upgrades. Don’t worry about knowing your property’s EPC rating before applying as this will be confirmed with a quick survey on the property by our team.
November 2020: Hundreds of homes in Leeds to benefit from £2.9 million of funding to install energy efficiency measures
Leeds City Council has secured £2.9 million of funding to provide targeted energy efficiency improvements such as cavity wall insulation, air-source heat pumps, and external wall insulation in areas with high levels of fuel poverty and inefficient homes.
Once complete the work, which is funded by a Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy grant, will save 385 private and council-owned households an average of £366 on their fuel bills every year and cut the city’s annual carbon footprint by 518 tonnes.
The targeted works is being delivered in areas of Swarcliffe, Seacroft, the Weston estate in Otley and the Bodmin estate in Middleton.
What is happening through Leeds City Council
Leeds City Council is committed to helping its residents heat their homes for less by installing energy-saving home improvements. Offers and funding are limited so are on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t delay, act today.
Find out about our latest work in your area and across the whole scheme throughout Yorkshire by taking a look at our case studies just by clicking here.
Click here to get a personalised offer for your home in just 4 simple steps
Every home in Leeds is different and particular areas are entitled to different measures. Just click the link above to create a unique offer just for YOU and your circumstances. Or, if you want to talk through options available to your home, please call our friendly advisers for more information on 0800 597 1500 or 0333 121 0073.
Better Homes Leeds is open to homeowners, private tenants and landlords. Social Housing tenants must speak to their registered provider to find out about energy efficiency schemes for social housing. Leeds City Council has an ongoing refurbishment programme for its council houses, including energy efficiency measures. This programme is primarily area based: areas are selected on the basis of need and all homes are improved in that area. The council is also running a citywide programme to complete any outstanding cavity wall and loft insulation.
If you are a council tenant who needs cavity wall or loft insulation please email housingleeds.planned@leeds.gov.uk Other enquiries will be noted and depending on what is requested, improvements may or may not be made.
External Wall Insulation - Cookridge, Leeds.
100's of homes now feel the benefit of our schemes across the region.
There are many energy efficiency improvements we can carry out to make your home warmer, healthier and cheaper to heat. Once a survey of your property has taken place Better Homes Yorkshire will be able to make recommended measures for your home.
The links below explain some of the energy efficiency improvements that may be installed to your home and their benefits.
What is Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI)?
Cavity Wall Insulation (CWI) is an effective method of making your home warmer, more comfortable and healthier by filling the air gap also known as the ‘cavity’ in-between your walls.
How will I know if my home has cavity walls?
It's likely that your home requires this type of insulation measure if it was built after the 1920’s when they typically constructed external walls in two layers of brickwork, inner and outer leaves, with an empty space in the middle called the cavity. This can be the cause of around a third of your home's heat being lost.
What are the benefits of new Cavity Wall Insulation?
Installation typically takes half a day. Cavity wall insulation can save you up to £135* per year on your energy bills. It is covered by a full 25-year guarantee. Your home will be warmer and more comfortable. It will also discourage future condensation which can cause mould to grow, as the walls and air will retain the heat. This is particularly important for people who suffer with certain allergies or chest complaints.
How does it work?
Cavity Wall Insulation will slow down the rate at which heat escapes from your home. The insulation material such as mineral fibre and bonded beads is made of lots of tiny air pockets and is injected into the cavity space using specialist equipment. The air pockets make it difficult for heat to escape, therefore reducing heat loss and saving money on your energy bills.
What should I expect from the work?
It should typically take up to 4 hours to install this type of insulation. Before we begin, we’ll need access to all the outside walls of your property so please remove cars, caravans and garden furniture away from the building.
Trained installers will drill small holes (about the size of a 10p piece) at intervals of 1 metre to 1.5 metre in the outside walls. Using specialist equipment our installers will inject the insulation through these holes into the cavity space. The holes are then filled matching the existing walls as closely as possible.
During the work our Liaison officer will be your main point of contact. They’re there to let you know exactly what’s going on at every stage and to give you all the help, support and information you need.
*These are estimated figures provided by the Energy Saving Trust based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms. Actual savings may vary depending upon your individual circumstances.
What is loft insulation?
Loft Insulation is an effective method of making your home warmer and more comfortable. Lofts can be poorly insulated or not insulated at all. These homes lose on average 25% of their heat through the roof. Without adequate insulation your home is very inefficient and very expensive to heat.
What are the benefits of Loft Insulation?
Installation can typically be completed within 2 hours (depending on size of your property). Typically around 25% of heat is lost through poorly insulated rooms. Increasing your loft insulation to the recommended 270mm could save you up to £175* a year on your energy bills. The insulation should last for over 40 years.
How does it work?
Loft insulation is a material made up of lots of tiny air pockets; these pockets trap heat, reducing the rate at which heat escapes. Our installer uses loft roll insulation, which is unrolled, cut to length and placed within the loft space. A minimum thickness of 270mm will be achieved. Your home may already have some degree of loft insulation and may only need a top-up to ensure its depth is sufficient to keep your heat in, making your home warmer and reducing your energy bills.
What should I expect from the work?
It should typically take 2-3 hours to install this type of insulation. Before we can start we’ll ask you to clear your loft space of things such as suitcases and boxes so our installers can easily move around. If any existing insulation needs to be removed we will do this.
The installation process is quick and easy and will cause little disruption to you and your family. You’ll be able to place any items back in the loft afterwards but always ensure secure floor spaces are used. The insulation material will not hold heavy objects.
During the work our Community Liaison Officer will be your main point of contact. They’re there to let you know exactly what’s going on at every stage and to give you all the help, support and information you need.
*These are estimated figures provided by the Energy Saving Trust based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms. Actual savings may vary depending upon your individual circumstances.
What is a High Efficiency A-rated Condensing Gas Boiler?
Installation of a High Efficiency Gas Boiler is an effective method of making your home warmer and more comfortable. How will I know if my home requires a new boiler? If your boiler is more than 10 years old it's likely to be G-rated meaning it could be inefficient and expensive to run. Replacing your old system could make your home warmer and save you money on energy bills.
What are the benefits of a new boiler?
By replacing an old G-rated boiler with a new high efficiency condensing boiler and improving your heating controls, you could cut your home’s carbon dioxide emissions – saving as much as £300 a year*. You will have instant hot water. Your home should be warmer and more comfortable.
How does it work?
Gas boilers can be used for heating your home and providing hot water. They do this by heating up water that circulates around the pipework connecting to your radiators. Many homes still have old G-rated boiler systems that can be very inefficient because they lose a lot of heat through the flue: these are known as non-condensing boilers. High efficiency condensing boilers re-use heat that would normally be lost into the atmosphere from the flue, keeping your home warmer and more energy efficient.
What should I expect from the work?
It should take around two days to complete the installation and will be done by one of our Gas Safe Registered engineers. Replacing your heating system means we’ll usually fit a new gas boiler, and may also put in new radiators as well. Sometimes, we’ll need to remove the main fire in your living room, and if necessary you may need a new electric fire.
Before we arrive please put away any fragile or valuable items and remove things from the wall to save them getting knocked. Boiler replacements can be quite noisy and dirty so we’ll always use dust sheets to protect floor coverings and furniture that has not been removed.
During the work our Liaison Officer will be your main point of contact. They’re there to let you know exactly what’s going on at every stage and to give you all the help, support and information you need.
*These are estimated figures provided by the Energy Saving Trust based on insulating a gas-heated, semi-detached home with three bedrooms. Actual savings may vary depending upon your individual circumstances.
Do Better Homes Yorkshire Offer Oil Boilers?
Better Homes Yorkshire are now able to offer oil boilers to people who are off gas. Installing a new oil boiler could save you up to 30%* a year on your annual fuel bills compared to your current off gas method of heating.
Why choose us?
- Get up to a five-year manufacturer’s warranty on our market-leading boilers.
- Finance options are available from £39.50 a month* from our installer Scarbrook to help spread the cost.
- No deposit necessary, don’t pay a penny until you are 100% satisfied.
- You may qualify for funding to help pay for the boiler
*Source: www.OFTEC.org
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels are made out of photovoltaic cells (which is why generating electricity with solar panels is also called solar PV) that convert the sun’s energy into electricity.
Solar panels generate a direct current of electricity. This is then passed through an inverter to convert it into an alternating current, which can then be funnelled into the National Grid or used by the home or business the solar panels are attached to.
What are some of the advantages of solar power?
Solar panels give you guaranteed power when the sun is shining – providing a consistent, stable form of generation throughout the day. After they’ve been installed, solar panels need little to no maintenance – just occasional cleaning to keep them clear of dirt and debris.
Solar panels don’t create any noise pollution while generating electricity. This means that installations aren’t intrusive – whether they’re in crowded urban locations or quiet rural ones.
Solar panels are very safe. They're mostly made from silicon sheets, and there's no danger of the photovoltaic cells leaking or emitting any toxins or fumes..
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Solar panels react to the visible light spectrum. This means, if it’s light enough to see, there’s enough light for solar panels to start generating electricity. But the stronger the sunlight, the better.
How do I know if my home is suitable for Solar Panels?
Most homes are suitable for solar panels, to get the maximum performance solar panels need to face South, however solar panels will generate even if they’re not facing south, it just won’t be as much.
However, you will need to own the roof (so no ground floor flats with a first floor flat above), and the roof will need to be free from any shading. The roof will also need to be structurally sound and there will need to be sufficient capacity within the National Grid in your home’s location to connect back to the grid, but we will assess these aspects on our survey of your home.
What will the work involve?
The works will typically take three days, day one will be erecting the scaffold to access your roof, day two will consist of installing the solar panels on the roof, fixing the inverter (generally in your loft space) and then running a cable from the inverter down to your consumer unit so that any power generated can be used within your home.
We will also install a generation meter next to your consumer unit so you can see how much electricity your Solar System has generated.
Then on the final day we will commission the system and remove the scaffold, leaving your home tidy so that you can enjoy the benefits of free electricity generated from your new Solar PV System.
