Member Article

£6m energy scheme to benefit hundreds of homes

The extension of a £6 million energy scheme will see hundreds more homes in Stockton cut their energy bills by up to £750 per year.

The GoWarn Parkfield initiative, which is running in partnership between Boldon-based fuel poverty specialist GoWarm and Stockton Borough Council, has already carried out improvements worth £3.9m at more than 400 homes in Stockton’s Parkfield and Town Centre wards.

Karen Hindhaugh, Director of GoWarm said: “After the success of Phase One we’re delighted to be able to grow this scheme and give hundreds more householders the opportunity to benefit from what it offers.”

“While there are many companies offering various energy efficiency measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation, the GoWarm Parkfield initiative is specifically designed to provide homeowners with a package of multiple measures for free.”

Now an additional 500 homes are set to benefit from the second phase of the scheme. Houses will receive package of energy efficient measures, which could include external wall or cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, boiler replacements, new heating systems and controls and draught proofing.

The GoWarm Parkfield project, which is expected to cut the borough’s carbon emissions by around 180,000 tonnes overall, is being funded by North Yorkshire-based Eggborough Power Ltd via the Government-backed Community Energy Saving Programme, which targets households in areas of low income to improve energy efficiency standards and reduce fuel bills.

However, the Director has also warned householders in the area about signing up with other companies who might offer them some of the measures.

She said: “Due to the strict funding conditions, anyone who signs up to have measures installed by companies outside the scheme, may no longer be eligible and so might miss out on getting the complete package if they get some of the work done elsewhere.

“We would recommend that householders make sure they speak to us first before signing up with anyone else.”

Properties in Mill Lane and Newton will begin receiving letters about the GoWarm Parkfield scheme in the next two weeks, with GoWarm surveyors taking to the streets after that, to assess each household’s eligibility and offer free energy efficiency and benefits advice.

Councillor David Rose, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The GoWarm Parkfield scheme has already improved more than 400 properties in the Parkfield and Town Centre wards, with residents reporting significant reductions in their fuel bills and improvements in the warmth and comfort of their homes.

“We are delighted to be working with GoWarm to extend the scheme and offer these benefits to residents in Mill Lane and Newtown.”

Households in Mill Lane and Newtown that don’t automatically qualify for the GoWarm Parkfield scheme can still apply for heavily subsidised energy efficiency measures, including cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as free energy efficiency and benefits advice from GoWarm’s team of experienced assessors.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .