Broadacres, who has more than 6,000 homes, has spent the last 18 months upgrading 400 of its least energy efficient homes in areas such as Easingwold, Bedale, Northallerton, and Ripon, as well as smaller rural communities such as Great Broughton, Osmotherley, and Helperby.
The project was funded by a Government grant of £2.7 million.
The work involved installing renewable energy technology such as solar panels and air source heat pumps, along with other energy efficiency measures including improved loft insulation and smart air bricks to reduce drafts.
Since the project began in April 2023, all 400 homes have been equipped with solar panels, while 52 homes now have air source heat pumps.
Loft insulation has been added to 156 homes, and floor insulation has been fitted in 15 homes.
Before the work, all the homes in the retrofit programme had an Energy Performance Certificate rating of band D, E, or F.
Now, most have achieved a B rating, and some have reached the maximum A rating.
This makes them among the most energy efficient homes in Broadacres’ total housing stock.
Julie Sadler, who had solar panels and a heat pump installed, said: “I have lived here for almost 20 years and until now I had oil-fired heating which was expensive, and I often found myself switching it off regularly in order to save money.
“I put off getting the solar panels and heat pumps for a while because I was unsure about making the change, but my neighbour got them, and he told me what a difference they had made to his home, so I decided the time was right and now I just wish I done it sooner.”
Helen Ball, Broadacres’ senior sustainability manager, said: “We are very pleased with the progress we have made in 2024 and it’s heartening to receive such positive feedback from customers like Julie who have had their homes made more energy efficient.
The association has a target of ensuring all its homes achieve an EPC band C rating or better by 2028.