Home energy conservation act

The Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA) mandates all local authorities in England to create and 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 their area.

Since March 2013, it is a statutory legal obligation for all Councils to publish a report every two years (until 31 March 2027) that details strategies to enhance domestic energy efficiency and ease fuel poverty in their area. These measures aim to bring significant improvements in energy efficiency, as well as reductions in carbon emissions, and it covers owner-occupier, private rented sector, and social rented sector properties.

Carbon dioxide emissions from housing contribute up to a third of all such emissions. By supporting households to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their energy costs this will help to reduce domestic carbon emissions. This can be done by upgrading homes with insulation and heating improvements and retrofitting renewable energy solutions. Housing-related energy efficiency and renewable energy measures are essential to achieve carbon saving targets, contributing towards climate change reduction.

These types of improvements also future proof our housing against rising fuel costs, alleviating the risk of fuel poverty. This helps households to achieve affordable warmth, reducing the negative health effects of living in cold homes.

DESNZ uses the data submitted to inform policy thinking on energy efficiency, and to build an ongoing picture of local and national energy efficiency policy delivery.

Wakefield Council's 2023 HECA report outlines the energy efficiency and fuel poverty related policies and initiatives carried out for the 1 April 2021 – 31 March 2023 period.

These measures are chosen by the Council based on their:

• practicality
• cost-effectiveness
• potential for significant improvements in residential energy efficiency
• potential to reduce fuel poverty

The HECA report aligns with key strategic priorities identified in both the Council’s Corporate Plan 2022-24 and the Wakefield Housing Plan 2019-22 and 2023-26.

In line with its statutory obligations, Wakefield Council has produced and digitally published its 2023 HECA report. This report has been formally submitted, via the prescribed online portal to DESNZ, in advance of the 29 February 2024 deadline.