Upgrades were completed to three blocks of one-bedroom flats at St Mary’s Court and St Mary’s Close in Chapeltown, and Wood Lane Court in Headingley. Works included the installation of new energy-efficient heating systems, enhanced insulation to retain warmth, and improved ventilation systems to reduce dampness and the risk of mould. 

Long-time residents like Janet Zealand, who has lived at St Mary’s Court with her husband Gordon since 1976, are already feeling the difference. Janet said: “The changes are making a real difference to us in terms of our bills and it’s lovely and warm all the time, we used to have to have more heaters on. The fans that been put in have helped the flat feel drier, and generally it’s just a lot more pleasant to sit in.”

New smart heating systems have also been installed, giving residents more control over their home temperatures and the ability to better monitor their energy usage.

The upgrades are estimated to reduce energy bills by up to £400 per household each year and cut carbon emissions by as much as one tonne per home annually – the equivalent of driving a car around the world nine times. 

As a result of the improvements, many of the homes, previously rated as low as EPC E, have now seen their Energy Performance Certificate ratings rise as high as a B.

Sean Corcoran, Regional Director at Equans, commented: “Much of the carbon produced nationally comes from existing homes and projects like this are really important to help meet national net zero targets so that we can all have a healthier, more sustainable future. I’m pleased that we have been able to bring our low carbon housing expertise to this project and that our work is having such a positive impact on the people who live in these flats.”

Joanna Chambers, Director of Assets and Growth at 54North Homes, said: “It’s fantastic to see the energy efficiency works that have been undertaken to these homes, making them warmer and more affordable to run for our customers. Each home has undergone extensive improvements and is an important step towards our carbon reduction commitments by ensuring all our homes are a minimum EPC C rating by 2030, in line with government targets. 

"I’d particularly like to thank Equans for delivering this programme of works and for our customers who have enabled the smooth delivery of these works to be undertaken within their homes.”