A housing association in North Yorkshire has made a substantial investment in energy efficiency as part of its mission to become a net zero carbon organisation by 2050.

As part of this undertaking, a series of measures have been applied to homes, including the adoption of low carbon air source heat pumps (ASHPs).

To date, Broadacres has installed 800 of these pumps in its properties, meaning one in every eight homes now utilises this technology.

Although all new properties have heat pumps as standard, the majority of units were installed in existing residences that lack access to mains gas, replacing oil and LPG central heating, along with storage heater systems.

By 2050, every one of the association's 6,700 homes is set to have a low carbon heating system.

Supplementary energy saving work on the buildings includes the installation of added loft insulation, underfloor insulation, solar panels, and triple-glazed window replacements.

During 2023/24, £1.8 million will be spent just on window and door substitutions.

These concentrated efforts have managed to increase the number of Broadacres homes achieving at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C rating.

In 2020, more than 2,000 homes failed to reach Band C, but this figure has now lessened to below 1,400.

The intention is that all homes will reach this level or exceed it by 2028, two years earlier than the 2030 objective set by Government.

Among those residents reaping the rewards of these efficient investments is David Cashmore, whose Great Ayton bungalow has been fitted with both solar panels and an air source heat pump.

The Northern Echo: David Cashmore outside his home with Broadacres’ Sustainability Officer Catherine Cannell

He said: "I used to have storage heaters which were very wasteful on energy, but the heat pump is so much better and more efficient, and I have total control of it so I can shut it off completely when I am not using it to save money."

The finance for this extensive work has been found from numerous sources including Broadacres' own capital, plus a sum of £2.4 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Broadacres senior sustainability manager, Helen Ball, expressed her satisfaction with the projects' progression whilst also acknowledging the crucial support from the residents.

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She said: "We are really pleased with the progress we have made to date on making our existing homes more energy efficient."

In addition to these measures, Broadacres has implemented a pilot project involving the deep retrofitting of four vacant homes in Northallerton, Stokesley, and Myton-on-Swale, rendering them net zero ready.

These homes, now finished to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band A, are among the housing association's most efficient properties.