A GROUP of Lascelles residents are enjoying warmer homes and lower energy bills thanks to a major insulation project from Warm Up North and Darlington Borough Council.
As part of a three-month project delivered by Warm Up North, external wall insulation (EWI) has been fitted to the outside walls of 40 Darlington homes to increase energy efficiency and keep residents cosy.
Dating back to the 1970s, the newly insulated properties on Moulton Way, Melsonby Crescent, Aldbrough Walk and Eppleby Way were constructed with solid exterior walls which can allow twice as much heat to escape compared to newer buildings with cavity walls.
Following the completion of the project, each mid-terrace household could now potentially save as much as £180 per year, while the end-terrace households could potentially make annual savings of up to £270.
Graeme Stephenson, lead partnership development manager at Warm Up North, said: “Thanks to our partnership with Darlington Borough Council local people, like the residents of Lascelles, are feeling the benefit of warmer homes and lower energy bills.”
In addition to making homes more efficient and lowering energy consumption, the insulation has also transformed the exterior of the properties, creating a high quality and modern finish.
The project, funded through the Government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund and the Council Housing Capital Fund, is the largest planned programme of improvements by Darlington Borough Council to its housing stock to date.
Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “This highlights the strong working relationship the council has with British Gas. Residents have already seen savings through the Warm Up North scheme and these are additional and most welcome savings for our tenants.
“Making homes warmer is probably the last thing on people’s minds in the heat of the summer. However, winter comes round every year and now is the time to plan ahead and this scheme could help many to save money on future energy bills. All it takes is a phone call to get things moving.”
Warm Up North, which is endorsed by nine North East local authorities, including Darlington Borough Council, is tackling fuel poverty across the region by making homes more affordable for residents to keep warm. The scheme is helping residents living across the borough and in Hartlepool, Redcar & Cleveland, Durham, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle and Northumberland.
For more information on Warm Up North and its range of energy efficiency measures, which are available to eligible homeowners and landlords in the North East, contact the team. For Warm Up North’s boiler offer please call free* on 0800 316 4320 and for all other energy efficiency measures call free* on 0800 297 8073 or visit alternatively www.warmupnorth.com.