Warm Homes Campaign

Our Warm Homes Campaign is the one-stop referral system for owner occupiers in County Durham. The Campaign helps residents to access energy efficiency grants to have a warmer home and lower energy bills.

We will contact all enquiries received and discuss the broad range of services that you could be eligible for. Assistance includes:

• advice on the grants available for boiler replacements and heating
• advice on the grants available for wall and loft insulation
• support with energy bills, switching energy companies and fuel debts
• energy saving advice
• benefit checks (from the Welfare Rights Team) 
• fire safety checks (from Durham and Darlington Fire Service)
• help for those living in a cold home with a cold related illness

Some of these services may have an eligibility criteria.

If you think you might qualify for extra support, contact us.

Top 20 energy saving tips

Save money on your energy bills by simply adopting some of the top 20 energy saving tips It could also help you to have a warmer home and reduce your carbon emissions  top 20 energy saving tips (PDF, 3.1mb) .

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. ECO is funded and managed by the Energy Supply Companies, not the council. It requires energy companies to promote and fund the installation of energy efficiency measures that lead to financial savings on energy bills, such as installing insulation and heating measures. The suppliers can provide grants to install efficiency measures into your home, such as loft or wall insulation, or heating measures if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit or have a low income.

Phase 4 of ECO will commence at the end of September 2022, focussing on supporting low income and vulnerable households by improving the least energy efficient homes. 

To apply for ECO you can contact the energy company that supplies your gas or electricity using the details shown on your energy bill. The Office of gas and Energy Markets (Ofgem) administer ECO on behalf of the Government and recommend households "shop around" to get the best ECO grant. More information on ECO along with contact details for energy supply companies is shown on the Ofgem web page approved energy supply companies.

During the transition from ECO Phase 3 to phase 4 we anticipate it may be more difficult to obtain an ECO grant, we recommend you contact your energy supply company directly for more information.