Grants to improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes in North Tyneside

Residents with a low income are set to benefit from a scheme aimed at tackling fuel poverty and cutting carbon emissions in North Tyneside.

North Tyneside Council has successfully bid for £3.2m from the Government’s Green Homes Grant scheme, which offers homeowners up to £10,000 to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Domestic heating is one of the main contributors to climate change and the average household energy bill last year was £1,254. 

From April 1, people with an annual income below £30,000 and a low energy-efficient property – with a rating of D, E, F or G – will be able to apply for the full cost of having a range of energy-efficient and low carbon measures installed at home.

These measures include:

  • External Wall Insulation
  • Solar PV
  • Air Source Heat Pumps

The council will work with E.ON to deliver the scheme, but people do not need to be an existing E.ON customer to benefit.

The scheme will boost North Tyneside Council’s ambitious drive to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2023, following the declaration of a climate emergency in July 2019.

Since 2011, significant progress has been made to reduce the council’s carbon emissions by 46% and the borough’s carbon emissions by 40%.

The council has already reduced the borough’s carbon footprint through the replacement of thousands of streetlamps with energy-efficient LEDs, and the expansion of its recycling service to include plastic pots, tubs and trays.

Councillor Carl Johnson, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “These improvements will make people’s homes much more comfortable and affordable to run, while also making a huge contribution to our carbon reduction efforts as a borough.

“It will help to alleviate fuel poverty in our area and support our ongoing efforts to  provide a clean, green, healthy, attractive, safe and sustainable environment for all our residents. We have already made great strides towards reducing our carbon footprint but there is a lot of work still to be done.

“The climate emergency means we will continue to embed environmental sustainability throughout every area of council business. It is something we are very passionate about making a difference towards and we will continue to do all we can here in North Tyneside.”

Nigel Dewbery, Director of Residential Solutions at E.ON, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of homes across the UK is key to meeting the nation’s net-zero targets, and can dramatically improve people’s living conditions, by helping to increase their comfort and reduce their energy bills.

“We’re delighted to be bringing these benefits to households across the region, as we work with North Tyneside Council to install energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, solar panels or air source heat pumps, in the homes of eligible residents.”    

Residents can apply online by visiting www.eonenergy.com/home-heating/green-homes-grant or by emailing GreenHomesGrant@eonenergy.com with their contact details, and a member of E.ON’s customer services team will be in touch.

Alternatively, residents can call the E.ON Green Homes Grant team on 0333 202 4820. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.