Energy-saving upgrades for your home
How we are making homes warmer, healthier and more affordable to run.
Energy-saving upgrades, sometimes called retrofit, improve existing homes through measures such as insulation, better heating, ventilation and renewable energy.
They can make your home warmer and more comfortable, help reduce energy use and bills, and lower carbon emissions.
Retrofit
We are investing in our homes to help customers stay warm and reduce energy costs.
93% of our homes have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above, well above the housing sector average.
Since 2023, we have completed energy-saving work in 2,788 homes.
A further 599 homes are planned for 2026/27 and 2027/28.
Homes improved
| Financial year | Homes improved |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 332 |
| 2024/25 | 1,101 |
| 2025/26 | 1,355 |
| 2026/27 | 457 |
| 2027/28 | 142 |
| Total | 3,387 |
We are working in partnership with our lead consortium partner, Tees Valley Combined Authority, to deliver the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 programme.
Over the three-year programme, we will be delivering energy efficiency improvements to 954 homes, helping improve energy performance and reduce household energy costs.
We will also continue to explore and take advantage of any future grant funding opportunities that become available to support further investment and improvements across our housing stock.
As part of our commitment to helping customers benefit from renewable energy, we have installed solar panels on more than 1,000 homes.
We have also given permission for eligible customers to join the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme. This government-backed scheme pays households for unused electricity generated by their solar panels and exported to the National Grid.
We provide the permissions and documents customers need to apply. Eligible customers can then receive payments from participating energy suppliers, helping them save more and get greater value from the renewable energy generated by their home.
Our delivery partner, 0800 Repair, assesses each home and installs the measures that will make the biggest difference. These may include:
- Improved ventilation: Removes moisture, stale air and pollutants, helping to reduce condensation and mould while improving indoor air quality.
- Loft insulation: Reduces heat loss through the roof, keeping your home warmer in winter, cooler in summer and cheaper to heat.
- Cavity wall insulation: Fills the gap between external walls to reduce heat loss and improve comfort.
- Internal wall insulation: Adds insulation to the inside of external walls to make rooms warmer and more energy efficient.
- Solar panels: Generate electricity from daylight, reducing the amount you need to buy. Eligible homes may also benefit from the SEG scheme.
- Air source heat pumps: Use heat from the outside air to provide heating and hot water, even in cold weather. They are a low-carbon alternative to traditional systems.
- Low-energy lighting: LED bulbs use less electricity, last longer and provide reliable lighting.
- Smart radiator valves, also known as Radbots: Control individual radiators automatically, reducing energy wasted on heating empty rooms while keeping your home comfortable.
Every home is different, so we follow a careful process:
- Identify homes: We identify homes that may benefit, subject to a survey.
- Assess your home: We check its construction, condition, heating, ventilation and current energy performance, and speak with you about how the home is used.
- Create an energy model: We use the survey findings to identify the best package of improvements and work towards an EPC C rating where practical.
- Complete technical surveys: Our installer checks that each proposed measure is safe, suitable and practical.
- Prepare the design: A detailed plan makes sure the measures work together and avoids problems such as damp, poor ventilation or condensation. Extra specialist surveys or permissions may sometimes be needed.
- Install and hand over: 0800 Repair confirms the work dates and duration. After installation, we explain how the measures work and complete final quality checks.
Research by Rightmove suggests that moving from EPC D to EPC C could save a household around £657 a year. Actual savings vary depending on the home, its starting EPC rating, the measures installed and how energy is used. This estimate is based on Rightmove’s annual bill tracker figures.
If your home may be eligible, we will contact you. You do not need to apply. If we get in touch, you will be able to ask questions before any work begins.
Bernicia won the Housing Association or Landlord category at the North East Energy Efficiency Awards 2025.
For impartial advice about energy-saving technology and ways to reduce energy use, visit:
You can also contact:
- Citizens Advice Northumberland: energy@citizensadvicenorthumberland.org.uk | 01670 339749
- Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk | 01670 620015, 9am to 6pm, seven days a week
If you are struggling with energy costs or falling behind with payments, contact your supplier as soon as possible.
They can check your tariff, discuss your energy use and tell you about available support. If you are in debt, they must work with you on an affordable repayment plan. You may also be able to access a hardship fund. Citizens Advice can help on 01670 339749.
