Hundreds benefit from free energy-saving upgrades

Hundreds of homeowners have benefited from a scheme aimed at reducing their energy bills, a council has said.

North Yorkshire Council secured funding from the government's Home Upgrade Grant to improve properties affected by poor-quality insulation.

A total of 362 eligible homes in the county had work such as the installation of wall or underfloor insulation and solar panels.

The council is urging anyone who meets the criteria to sign up for the project.

The recipients included a 90-year-old man who expected his energy costs to drop to "nothing" after the work.

To qualify for the scheme, residents must live in a home not on the mains gas network, have a household income of £36,000 or less, or receive income-related benefits.

However, some households may still qualify outside of these criteria, depending on their location in the county.

According to North Yorkshire Council, households taking part in the scheme have saved up to £610 on their bills.

One of the participants was Geoffrey Evans, who had solar panels and loft insulation installed at his home in Northallerton.

The 90-year-old said: “As you get older you really start to feel the cold, so I really jumped at the opportunity to keep my home warm.

“The loft insulation really appealed to me, and since installation I have noticed a big difference with the heat retention."

A total of £6m has been allocated for the current phase to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the county, and the scheme is now in its second and final phase which is running throughout the current financial year.

The council's executive member for climate change, councillor Greg White, said: “We know just how important improving the energy efficiency of homes is for protecting both the environment and people’s finances.

“It is great to see that communities across North Yorkshire are beginning to see real benefits from the project."

The Home Upgrade Grant scheme is being delivered by North Yorkshire Council in partnership with community interest company YES Energy Solutions.

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.