Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) report 2023
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA)
The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) requires all local authorities (LAs) in England to submit reports to the Secretary of State of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) demonstrating what energy conservation measures they have adopted to improve the energy performance of residential accommodation within that the local authority's area. This covers measures to improve properties in the owner-occupier, private rented sector, and social rented sector.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero uses data submitted to inform policy thinking on energy efficiency, and to build an ongoing picture of local and national energy efficiency policy delivery.
Key facts
Between 2021 and 2023, Ashfield District Council delivered approximately £6 million worth of decarbonisation measures (such as insulation, solar panels, heat pumps). This includes roughly £1.9 million of measures delivered by external organisations on our behalf. This has resulted in carbon and energy savings, job creation, alleviation of fuel poverty, and improved health outcomes in the district.
Consumer advice and information
We provide consumer advice and support to residents on saving energy through this website, our social media channels, and through external organisations such as the Nottinghamshire Energy Partnership and the Midlands Net Zero Hub. The Private Sector Enforcement Team also provides advice to landlords in the district, taking enforcement action where necessary in line with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards regulations.
Social housing decarbonisation
Through the first wave of funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, we have been able to install insulation measures, such as external wall insulation and roof insulation, in 25 social housing properties in 10 postcodes, as of August 2023.
Fuel poverty
We have strong local data sets on energy efficiency/housing and use campaigns to reach out to residents facing fuel poverty. We also provide financial support to low income and vulnerable households in the private rented sector to decarbonise, such as the Home upgrade grant and the Local authority development schemes, outlined below.
Local authority delivery
The Local authority delivery scheme funds retrofit improvements for private sector properties on the gas grid. With funding from the scheme’s third wave, 51 properties have been improved in Ashfield. These improvements include 27 solar PV installations, 15 solid wall insulation installations, and 11 loft insulation installations.
Home upgrade grant
The Home upgrade grant funds retrofit improvements for private sector properties off the gas grid. The first wave of the scheme has delivered retrofit improvements to 11 properties off the gas grid.
Energy company obligation
The Energy company obligation (ECO) is an obligation on energy suppliers aimed at helping households cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions by installing energy saving measures. The ECO “Local Authority flexible eligibility” (LA Flex) programme allows LAs to make declarations determining that certain households in fuel poverty or with occupants on low incomes and vulnerable to the effects of cold homes, are referred to ECO obligated suppliers for support under the Affordable Warmth element of ECO. During 2022, we made 8 declarations for low income and fuel poor households gave been issued under ECO in 2022.
Smart metering
We ensure that all relevant guidance to landlords issued by the Private Sector Enforcement Team states that implementing smart meters are best practice. Generally, smart meters are installed in private sector properties let in the district.