Esh Construction has been selected to retrofit County Durham homes in England, UK. 

This follows a £630,000 ($825,000) Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) funding award from the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero to Durham County Council. 

Durham County Council resources, investment, and assets Cabinet member James Rowlandson said: “As a council we are committed to ensuring residents have access to good quality housing, which is why we are pleased to have secured funding from the Home Upgrade Grant. 

“This funding will allow us to retrofit houses in County Durham, reducing the carbon emissions in line with our ambitions to achieve net zero across the county. The improved energy efficiency of these houses will also support households by reducing the cost of energy bills.” 

Up to 35 homes, including those off the gas grid, will enjoy energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating. 

The retrofit project, targeting owner-occupied and private rented properties, will include improved ventilation, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and more. 

Esh Construction Retrofit Solutions head Lisa Stafford said: “Our retrofit contracts are growing at pace and we are proud to support Durham County Council in decarbonising homes and reducing carbon emissions for residents across the region. 

“We use a fabric first approach to improve the thermal warmth of properties and implement new technologies to provide upgrades to homes to improve them to an Energy Performance Certificate C rating.” 

The company has engaged Storm Tempest for retrofit assessments to determine measures for each property, aiming to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C rating. 

Esh Construction's partnership with a PAS 2030 and PAS 2035 compliant supply chain ensures that installations meet high standards.  

The Home Upgrade Grant scheme by the Department for Energy and Net Zero, aims to address fuel poverty and contribute to the UK's Net Zero targets by 2050. 

The latest announcement comes after Esh Construction completed the Beech Hill affordable housing project in Halifax.