Kirklees Warm Zone completed its final installation of loft insulation last month, bringing the total number of homes insulated through the scheme to over 51,000.
The award-winning Kirklees Warm Zone has been the biggest scheme of its kind in the UK and has received national and local praise for its innovative approach to saving energy and making heating bills more affordable for thousands of local people.
Kirklees Warm Zone offered free cavity wall insulation and loft insulation to Kirklees homeowners and private tenants regardless of their age, household income or size of property.
Leader of Kirklees Council, Councillor Mehboob Khan, said: “Kirklees Warm Zone has definitely set the standard and I am very proud that we took on the challenge. It’s been a fantastic project, involving many local agencies working together. Thousands of local people will feel the benefits for years to come.”
He added. “People experiencing the current freezing weather should consider getting their homes properly insulated in order to feel warmer and more comfortable and also to save an average of £200 in fuel bills.”
Mr Steven Saville of Liversedge was the last resident to have free insulation installed through Kirklees Warm Zone. Just before Christmas he commented on the work, stating: “I’m looking forward to a warm Christmas and even warmer New Year now that the insulation has been fitted. Thanks Kirklees Council!”
Increased loft insulation obtained through council backed scheme and fitted by their appointed contractors was so efficient that it allowed no heat at all into the roof space. The conseuquence of this was that pipes froze leading to bursts that damaged the property. If the house had been empty at the time it would have damaged the entire household. Lagging should be fitted so that pipes and tanks are not encouraged to freeze resulting in dire consequences.