Customers of Homes in Sedgemoor will benefit from a share of £37.7 million allocated to improve energy efficiency for more than 3,000 social homes in the South West.

A successful funding bid from the South West Net Zero Hub has resulted in the cash injection, and a Homes in Sedgemoor project worth around £2 million to retrofit 108 of its least energy efficient properties will see half of the cost covered by this grant.

The grants support the delivery of £82 million worth of home upgrades which will reduce the environmental impact for many households working together with partners in two consortia, including local authorities and social landlords in the South West.

Katy Barry of Homes in Sedgemoor, said: "I am so pleased we have been successful in our bid for funding. The additional funds will allow us to invest in our least energy-efficient properties and prioritise making them warmer and more efficient to run for our customers. We plan to install a mix of insulation measures along with low carbon heating systems and solar panels to help tackle energy bills and increase comfort, all while reducing our impact on the environment."

According to the Energy Saving Trust, 21 per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK come from our homes, and these home upgrades will help reduce emissions from households in the South West, helping to meet the UK's net zero ambitions.

Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said: "This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill.

"The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes."

The money will be used to improve the fabric of homes to bring them up to an energy performance rating of "C". This is the minimum rating that the Climate Change Committee is proposing all UK homes should reach in order to help meet the UK's net zero carbon target by 2050.

The South West Net Zero Hub will work with two consortiums to deliver the program of work over the next 2 years. Consortium members will deliver the projects with the support of the Net Zero Hub in a collaborative learning environment.

This is the second wave of funding for sustainable home upgrades that the South West has received in the past 3 years. The Net Zero Hub is currently working in collaboration with regional partners to deliver the first wave of SHDF funding with the aim of helping over 270 households to reduce their heating bills by making their homes more energy efficient.