Rollout of energy-saving improvements receives praise from residents
Residents and sustainability experts from Salix Finance have praised our ongoing commitment to decarbonisation and retrofit projects across North Yorkshire.
We have helped roll out a range of energy-saving upgrades at homes worst affected by problems such as poor-quality insulation and ineffective heating.
Our award-winning sustainability team has received national recognition for our commitment to keeping homes warm and driving down energy bills – and a raft of further upgrades are set to be rolled out over the next few years.
Sustainability experts from Salix Finance, the Government-owned body responsible for overseeing a number of national retrofit schemes, recently visited our Northallerton headquarters to learn more about our collaboration with North Yorkshire Council and how residents are benefiting.
They met with managing director Ron Walton, operations director Andy Bardon and head of sustainability Simon Ward to find out about how we are helping to improve people’s lives, and learn more about our newly-launched Framework which will help deliver future upgrades.
Managing director Ron said: “We are passionate about sustainability and this ongoing collaborative work alongside our colleagues at North Yorkshire Council has been praised on a national level.
“This is an exciting time and we are looking forward to delivering these energy-saving upgrades in the homes of residents who need it most.
“It’s great to hear feedback from residents who have been delighted with the improvements made to their homes, and subsequent savings on their energy bills. That will continue to inspire us as we press ahead with this important work.”
Salix director of housing, Paul Hill, said: “It was fantastic to meet with representatives from North Yorkshire Council and Align Property Partners to discuss how they are delivering energy efficiency retrofit works across the county.
“It’s clear that government funding schemes – such as the Home Upgrade Grant – play a critical role in enabling these retrofit programmes to be delivered at scale and with pace.”
Kirkby Fleetham resident David Fielding is among those to have recently benefited from the energy-saving rollout after applying to North Yorkshire Council.
After previously heating his home with oil, the 73-year-old is now a proud advocate for cleaner energy with an air source heat pump installed in August 2024.
Ten solar panels were also added onto his roof and the loft insulation bolstered, with the project funded by the Government’s Home Upgrades Grant.
Mr Fielding said: “Instead of with oil or gas where the temperatures fluctuate considerably, my house now stays at a more ambient temperature throughout and the heat is more evenly distributed.
“I researched it all, found out I was eligible and thought ‘why not?’. The physical work was all done in under a week with minimum disruption. It was so slick and efficient – those who completed the works knew exactly what they were doing and they were so professional.
“I’m optimistic and would tell anybody the same – just research the whole thing, it’s proven. I’ve got rid of all the oil, all the dirty stuff and there’s no emissions – it’s clean. In addition to all that, it probably increases the value of the house too – it’s been wonderful.”
The council has applied for fresh funding through the Government’s warm homes local grant and social housing fund which would allow the rollout of further upgrades across North Yorkshire – which we would again be part of.
To assist the prospective rollout, we are welcoming applications from contractors to join our newly-launched framework.
Typical works covered under the framework will include the installation of air source heat pumps, solar PV systems, ventilation upgrades and draught proofing, as well as other maintenance and repairs.
The framework is now live and can be viewed at https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicPurchase/89634/0/.
For more information, please email info@alignpropertypartners.co.uk or call 01609 797373.
