HOMES across Coventry and Solihull have been earmarked to be fitted with insulation and low carbon heating technology to help combat soaring fuel bills.
The 300 homes across Elmdon in Solihull and Foleshill in Coventry, have been chosen by the local councils to be the first to have the energy busting methods installed.
A total of £2.86m will be invested in the homes by the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) from its £19million Sustainable Warmth Competition funding secured by the Midlands Energy Hub from government last year.
The WMCA say each home will be individually assessed to ensure the most effective action is taken with extra measures such as external insulation of the property and the installation of new energy sources also being made available.
There are also plans to help another 1,700 old and cold homes across public funded retrofit programmes as the region seeks to ramp up action to tackle climate change, reduce fuel poverty and support its ambition to be net zero within the next 20 years.
Coun Jim O’Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change for Coventry City Council, said: “We know that for some there are longstanding issues with fuel poverty in this city and with a rise in energy prices on the way, that’s only going to get worse.
“This funding will offer these low-income households a way to make their homes more energy efficient which in turn will help them to get their energy bills down.
“By taking a place-based approach to delivering this scheme we hope to make a real difference.”
Councillor Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio lead for environment, energy and HS2 and leader of Solihull Council, said: “The news that 150 homes in Solihull, alongside 150 in Coventry, will benefit from energy saving insulation is to be welcomed, particularly with gas and electric energy costs soaring.
“Seeing 300 homes becoming more energy efficient is great news, both for the households concerned and the planet.
“Switching to clean, electric transport and making our homes more energy efficient are the two things we can do at a domestic level and will have a huge impact on our CO2 emissions.”
