The primary aim of the GoWarm project is to reduce the number of people in fuel poverty in every local Council area in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Wakefield and North Yorkshire

The project team will identify the needs of each household and find ways of helping ensure they have the most energy efficient and comfortable home possible.

The GoWarm team intend to:

• Reduce cold related/cold induced deaths and illness across the target area
• Assess the energy efficiency needs of around 80% of the total housing stock
• Provide training and support programmes for central heating and insulation installers and surveyors
• Raise energy efficiency levels to meet statutory requirements
• Increase energy efficiency awareness in the Region
• Reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions and contribute to a cleaner environment
• Lower fuel usage
• Generate additional Benefits Claims for qualifying households
• Work with the voluntary sector and other partners to help with the communities

The programme has also created around 100 local full and part time jobs – and aims to sustain 50% of them for at least 3 years.

The GoWarm project is based on the successful Warm Zone concept used in among other places, Stockton on Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, Newcastle and Gateshead, and will demonstrate how hundreds of thousands of pounds can be saved every year.