Incommunities has teamed up with Northern Gas Networks (NGN) the north of England’s gas distributor, and Community Energy Solutions (CES) to deliver more affordable energy solutions to 79 social housing properties in Bradford, Bingley and Shipley.
The investment from NGN, worth £156,000, saw nearly 500 meters of new plastic gas mains installed which will deliver gas to homes that were previously not served by the existing gas mains network.
Now that the properties have been connected to the network, the Incommunities’ tenants will be able to benefit from gas central heating systems for the first time. The newly connected properties included homes at Thornhill Place in Thornbury, Myrtle Court in Bingley and at Windhill.
The investment is part of NGN’s commitment to tackle fuel poverty, which currently affects around 400,000⃰ homes in Yorkshire, the North East and northern Cumbria.
The new heating systems, which will be installed later this year by Propertysolutions, part of Incommunities Group, include energy efficient gas condensing combination boilers and radiators. The systems will lower carbon emissions and help reduce household fuel bills.
Delroy Beverley, Director at Incommunities, with overall responsibilities for the Group’s environmental and sustainability proposition, said: “We are very much committed to delivering more energy efficiencies across our housing stock and helping our customers reduce their fuel costs.
“This successful network extension partnership with Northern Gas Networks and Community Energy Solutions enables us to lead the upgrade of heating systems in these homes and as such, benefits our residents in the longer term.”
Tom Bell, Head of Social Strategy at Northern Gas Networks said: “We’re delighted to be working with Incommunities, and our partner, Community Energy Solutions, to help residents living in Bradford, Bingley and Shipley to access affordable heating solutions for the first time.
“We feel passionately about helping households improve their home energy efficiency and take greater control of their finances. By connecting homes to our gas network and giving customers access to more affordable energy solutions we hope to make life more comfortable for those who live in off-gas areas.”
Lee Cattermole, Programme Director at CES, said: “As a result of this successful partnership, these residents will have access to controllable, whole-house, efficient gas central heating. Work is already underway to tackle fuel poverty in other off-gas communities, through further gas network extension projects across the region in partnership with Northern Gas Networks.”
NGN aims to help create warmer, more sustainable homes which are easier and cheaper to heat, by providing free or discounted gas connections for customers who are struggling financially. If you think that you or someone you know may qualify for a free gas connection or be entitled to funding for a new heating system, and other related support, call Community Energy Solutions on 0113 272 7330 or request an assessment by completing the online contact form: ces-cic.org/contactus
