Energy efficiency works approved for 340 Northumberland homes - here's how you can apply

Northumberland County Councillors have formally accepted a government grant for up to £3.4million and approved the installation of carbon reducing technologies into 200 private and 140 council owned properties.

The work will be carried out on properties that hold Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings of ‘D’ and below to help these homes move to band ‘C’ and above, lowering utility bills and providing additional disposable income to those households.

Cllr Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, said: “Fuel poverty is a very real issue to many of our residents, and as a council we are thrilled to be awarded this grant which will undoubtedly provide support to those having to spend more money to stay warm in their homes.

“We will be working with E.ON to carry out these improvement works, which will include a mix of air source heat pumps, solar PV and external wall insulation. This investment is an important first step towards implementing a large-scale low carbon retrofit which will support our goals to tackle climate change and create a carbon neutral county by 2030.”

Eligible households will be able to apply for the full cost of these works which will be installed by E.ON, but residents do not need to be an existing E.ON customer to benefit.

Nigel Dewbery, director of residential solutions at E.ON, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing these benefits to households across the region, as we work with Northumberland County Council to install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, solar panels or air source heat pumps, in the homes of eligible residents.”

Construction and retrofitting activities could begin as early as April and is estimated to be complete by end of September.

This investment has been awarded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. The Green Homes Grant voucher scheme offers households funding of up to £5,000 to cover two-thirds of the costs towards energy efficiency improvements to their homes, with low income households offered vouchers to cover full improvement costs under £10,000.

Residents can apply online by visiting www.eonenergy.com/home-heating/green-homes-grant or by emailing [email protected] with their contact details. Alternatively, call 0333 202 4820.

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