Council awarded £3.4m for energy upgrades to homes

A council has received £3.4m to upgrade 280 homes with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and fuel poverty.

City of York Council was awarded two separate grants by the government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to be spent over the next three years.

Executive member for housing Michael Pavlovic said the improvements would be made "as soon as possible".

He said: "We know making York's homes warmer and better-insulated is a huge benefit to residents, financially and in terms of the positive impact on their wellbeing."

He added: "With rising energy costs and continued concerns around climate change, it's essential these improvements are made as soon as possible so that residents will see the benefits for years to come."

The first grant of £1.4m will be used to improve the energy efficiency of about 140 council-owned homes under the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund.

The second grant of £2m will be used to improve the energy efficiency of about 140 homes owned by those on low incomes through the Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme.

The improvements include loft, flat roof, external wall and cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls and solar photovoltaic panels to generate electricity.

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