Hartlepool homes to get an extra HUG from new funding

Published Tuesday, 8th March 2022

Hartlepool Borough Council has successfully secured more than half a million pounds in new government funding to upgrade homes across the area to be more energy efficient.

The £610,995 allocation was awarded through the government’s Sustainable Warmth Competition and forms as part of the £950 million Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme.

The initiative was set up by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to enable local authorities to apply for funding to help them install energy-saving upgrades and low-carbon heating in low-income households. 

Funding will be targeted to upgrade low-income, privately owned off-gas grid homes to move to net zero and reduce fuel poverty. This complements the funding announced in December aimed at improving properties on the gas supply.

It will be used to install energy efficiency measures such as wall and roof insulation as well as new low-carbon heating systems, thermostats and room heating controls for homes across Hartlepool.

Upgrades will take place before the end of March next year, with the move saving households around £200 per year on their energy bills.

Residents wishing to express an interest in the scheme should visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/SW-register.

Councillor Cameron Stokell, Hartlepool Borough Council’s Chair of Neighbourhood Services Committee said: “This new funding is excellent news for Hartlepool.”

“Everything we can do to help make homes across the Borough more energy efficient plays into the work that is going on to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce fuel poverty in Hartlepool.”

“Currently people are worried about the cost of heating their homes and receiving new funding like this means we can continue our commitment to supporting local residents to ensure they can make their homes more comfortable through insulating their homes effectively and at an affordable cost, whilst saving money on their bills in the process.”