Funding awarded to help make homes energy-efficient

Hundreds of households will be able to make their homes more energy-efficient after the government awarded £18m to councils across Nottinghamshire.

Nottingham City Council said it will receive a £7.4m share of funding through the Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) scheme, which aims to help local authorities improve energy performance and install low carbon heating upgrades to low-income homes.

Homeowners and private renters will be able to upgrade their homes with new insulation, solar panels, double-glazing and heat pumps through the scheme.

The £18m will be available to eight councils across the county until March 2028, and is being overseen by the Midlands Net Zero Hub.

To be eligible for WHLG funding, properties must have a low energy performance rating and households must have an annual income below £36,000, be in receipt of certain benefits, or be in an eligible postcode.

Nottingham City Council said it aims to support more than 420 homes as part of the plans through WHLG, having helped add energy-saving equipment in more than 1,200 private properties since 2021 through similar schemes.

Jay Hayes, interim executive member for climate and energy, said the project "is a vital step in helping people who are experiencing fuel poverty, as well as preventing others from falling into it.

"This funding does more than improve the energy efficiency of homes – it helps lower energy bills, keeps homes warmer and more comfortable, and supports better health and wellbeing," he said.

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