Esh Construction has been selected for a £2 million programme to retrofit homes across County Durham, after Durham County Council secured funding from the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero.

Over the next three years, up to 140 eligible off-gas owner-occupied and private rented properties will receive energy-efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating.

Procured via the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), the scheme will deliver bespoke packages under the Warmer Homes:Local Government Grant scheme, including improved ventilation, loft and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls and photovoltaic panels.

Lisa Stafford, Head of Retrofit Solutions at Esh Construction, said: "We are delighted to continue our partnership with Durham County Council through the Warmer Homes:Local Government Grant scheme. Building on the success of our previous retrofit projects, Esh remains committed to helping residents benefit from warmer and more comfortable homes. By taking a fabric first approach and introducing the latest low carbon technologies, we are supporting the council’s drive to decarbonise housing and improve living standards for communities in the region."

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Esh has commissioned Storm Tempest to undertake retrofit assessments, design and coordination to determine which measures are needed to lift eligible homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C rating.

The contractor is TrustMark-accredited and works with a PAS 2030, PAS 2035 and MCS compliant supply chain.

Cllr Nicola Lyons, Durham County Council's Cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said: "We want all County Durham residents to live in warm, safe and comfortable homes and are committed to doing as much as we can to ensure people have access to good quality housing. Whether that be delivering new council homes or schemes such as this, which support people to upgrade their homes.

"Securing this funding from The Warmer Homes initiative will allow up to 140 eligible households to benefit from improvements that will not only make their homes more comfortable but will save them money on their energy bills."

The Warmer Homes initiative is intended to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of lower income households and builds on earlier Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) projects funded by the Department for Energy and Net Zero.

In allocating funds, the Government has asked councils to prioritise households in more deprived areas. Other priority criteria include properties with the lowest EPC ratings of E, F and G, households with a total income below £36,000, and those in receipt of a means-tested benefit.

Funding decisions will be based on the volume and timing of eligible applications as well as the resources available. With demand expected to be high, Durham County Council will seek to support households that are unsuccessful through the Warm Homes: Local Grant via other funding sources.