Esh Construction secures Durham County Council contract

Esh Construction has been selected to carry out energy efficiency improvements as part of Durham County Council’s Warmer Homes: Local Government Grant scheme.

Funded by the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero.

Esh will target up to 140 eligible properties over the next three years, focusing on homes off the gas grid, including both owner-occupied and privately rented properties.

Lisa Stafford, head of retrofit solutions at Esh Construction, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Durham County Council through the Warmer Homes: Local Government Grant scheme.

“Building on the success of our previous retrofit projects, Esh remains committed to helping residents benefit from warmer and more comfortable homes.

“By taking a fabric-first approach and introducing the latest low-carbon technologies, we are supporting the council’s drive to decarbonise housing and improve living standards for communities in the region.”

Homes will be individually assessed and provided with customised improvements that may include upgraded ventilation, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls, and photovoltaic panels.

The goal is to raise each property’s energy performance to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C.

Esh Construction has commissioned Storm Tempest to handle retrofit assessments, design, and coordination.

The company is a TrustMark-accredited contractor and works with a supply chain that complies with PAS 2030, PAS 2035, and MCS standards.

Cllr Nicola Lyons, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said: “We want all County Durham residents to live in warm, safe, and comfortable homes and are committed to doing as much as we can to ensure people have access to good quality housing.

“Whether that be delivering new council homes or schemes such as this, which support people to upgrade their homes.

“Securing this funding from The Warmer Homes initiative will allow up to 140 eligible households to benefit from improvements that will not only make their homes more comfortable but will save them money on their energy bills.”

The Warmer Homes initiative was designed to help improve the comfort and energy efficiency of lower income homes and follows on from the previous Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) projects.

The Government has asked local authorities to prioritise the households in more deprived areas, particularly those with the lowest energy performance certificates of E, F and G, households with a total income of less than £36,000, or a means tested benefit.

The decision to award funding is based on the number of applications received from eligible households and when they are received, as well as the amount of funding available.

Demand is expected to be high and where households are unsuccessful through the Warm Homes: Local Grant, Durham County Council will look to provide support through other funding sources.

In 2024, Esh installed energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating options to 21 County Durham homes through the HUG Phase 2 project.