North Yorkshire Council has been awarded £14.5 million to deliver energy efficiency improvements to homes in their jurisdiction.

The money comes from The Government's Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2). It will be available to up to 700 homes suffering from problems such as poor-quality insulation and inefficient heating systems.

The money will finance the introduction of a wide range of improvements from insulation and solar panels to air source heat pumps and smart heating controls.

Private rented properties are eligible to apply for the funding, although landlords must contribute at least a third of the total cost of the upgrade.

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To qualify for the new scheme, residents must have a household income of £31,000 or less, or via other eligibility checks.

Properties must also be technically suitable for the measures available in the scheme and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.

Commenting on the scheme, Executive member for climate change, Cllr Greg White, said: "We face significant challenges in the fight against climate change and meeting the Government's plan for the UK to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"This much-needed funding stream offers a range of fully-funded energy-saving home improvements to eligible homeowners which will be delivered to March 2025."

Reflecting on the potential impact of the scheme, Executive member for housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: "The funding will improve the energy performance and heating systems of off gas grid private sector homes, predominantly for rural dwellings. Upgrades are tailored to individual homes so that the most appropriate measures are installed.

"It provides an opportunity for hard-pressed householders to get the necessary work done for free and for private landlords to access major discounts."