North East Warm Homes programme
The North East Warm Homes programme helps residents make their homes warmer, more energy efficient and cheaper to run through a range of retrofit support and financing options.
The programme brings together:
- The North East Warm Homes One-Stop-Shop, providing free, independent retrofit advice and support.
- A forthcoming Low-Interest Domestic Retrofit Loan, helping homeowners spread the cost of eligible retrofit installations.
- Switch Together North East, a collective buying scheme offering access to competitively priced solar panels and battery storage.
The programme is available to residents across the North East, including County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland. While anyone can access advice and support, the programme has a particular focus on helping households facing high energy costs and improving energy efficiency in the private rented sector.
North East Warm Homes One-Stop-Shop
The North East Warm Homes One Stop Shop offers independent support to help residents plan retrofit installations that can improve comfort, reduce energy use and lower bills.
The service incudes:
- Telephone and online advice
- Face-to-face support from trusted local advisers
- Help progressing projects through to installation
Whether you're a homeowner, tenant or landlord, the best place to start is the North East Warm Homes One Stop Shop. Advisers can help you understand which retrofit measures may be suitable for your home, identify any funding opportunities that may be available, and explore finance options to help make retrofit installations more affordable. Landlords can also access advice on improving the energy efficiency of their properties and preparing for future minimum energy efficiency requirements.
Switch Together North East
Switch Together North East is a collective buying scheme that helps residents access competitively priced solar panels and battery storage from vetted installers. Registration is free and without obligation.
The scheme will be open for registrations from 3 August 2026 until 27 September 2026. To take part, residents must register during this period. Once registration closes, it will not be possible to join this scheme.
Registering does not commit you to buying solar panels or battery storage. It simply means you can receive a personalised offer for your home and compare it with other quotes as part of your shopping around. If the offer isn't right for you, there is no obligation to proceed.
Optional upgrades
Alongside solar panels, you can choose to add battery storage to use more of your own energy, or a compatible EV charger if you drive electric.
All installations meet strict industry standards and are fully insurance-backed, giving you confidence in a long-term investment in your home.
Low-Interest Domestic Retrofit Loan
The North East Warm Homes One Stop Shop can help you understand which retrofit measures may be suitable for your home, from insulation and low-carbon heating to solar panels and other energy-saving technologies.
As part of this advice, advisers can explain the funding and finance options that may be available to help you carry out retrofit installations. While grant funding opportunities are currently limited for many households, the service can help you identify any support you may be eligible for and advise whether the forthcoming low-interest loan could be a suitable finance option.
The new low-interest loan is being developed to help homeowners spread the cost of eligible retrofit installations. Details of the loan provider, eligibility criteria and how to apply will be announced soon.
Already know what retrofit measures you want and have explored your finance options?
Finance application portal coming soon.
Ready to get started?
Whether you're planning a whole-house retrofit, considering solar panels, or looking at ways to fund retrofit installations, the North East Warm Homes One Stop Shop can help you understand your options and take the next step.
Some opportunities, such as Switch Together North East, have fixed registration deadlines. Getting advice early can help you make the most of the support available.
Not sure where to start?
If you're considering solar panels and would like independent advice on whether they're right for your home, or want to explore other retrofit measures and finance options, contact the North East Warm Homes One Stop Shop before making a decision.