Durham Warmer Homes

A £2m whole-house retrofit programme is being delivered to improve the energy efficiency of 140 homes across County Durham. Using a fabric-first approach, Esh is combining insulation upgrades, low-carbon heating, renewable energy technologies and ventilation improvements to reduce energy demand, tackle fuel poverty and support the decarbonisation of off-gas-grid homes, while improving properties to EPC Band B/C where feasible.

Delivered through the Government's Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, the Durham Warmer Homes scheme is upgrading 140 properties across County Durham through a range of PAS 2035-compliant energy efficiency measures.

Whole-house retrofit works include insulation upgrades, low-carbon heating systems, renewable energy technologies and ventilation improvements, with a bespoke scope of works developed for every property.

We are coordinating a fully accredited PAS 2030 and TrustMark-compliant supply chain, supported by dedicated document control systems that enable quality assurance and compliance to be maintained throughout the programme.

A robust compliance process includes the use of  photographic evidence, technical monitoring inspections and post-installation EPC verification  for every property to ensure all measures meet the required standards.

The programme is supporting Durham County Council's ambition to improve the energy efficiency of homes across the county, helping to reduce fuel poverty, lower carbon emissions and create warmer, more comfortable homes for residents.

The programme is improving the energy performance of 140 homes across County Durham through a range of fabric-first measures, low-carbon heating systems, renewable energy technologies and ventilation upgrades. The works are expected to improve properties from an average EPC rating of D/E to Band B/C, helping to reduce energy demand, lower carbon emissions and improve the thermal efficiency of homes.

The scheme is also helping eligible households benefit from lower fuel bills, with estimated savings of £700–£850 per property each year, while supporting Durham County Council's commitment to improve the quality of housing across the county. Delivered through the Government's Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, the project is creating warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes for residents.

The varied property types and mixed tenure of the housing stock required a tailored approach throughout the project delivery. Bespoke scopes of work were developed for every property to reflect the differing requirements of owner-occupied and private rented homes, while homeowner consent and landlord contributions were secured to enable works to progress.

The diversity of the housing stock, including rural stone cottages, terraced properties and semi-detached homes, meant retrofit solutions were carefully selected to maximise energy efficiency while remaining within the funding parameters of the programme.

Additional challenges included delivering works within occupied homes while minimising disruption to residents. Through careful planning, proactive resident engagement and a multi-channel communication approach, Esh worked to programme while ensuring residents remained informed and supported throughout the works.