Oxford City Council has been awarded £382,030 in Government funding to retrofit and improve the energy efficiency of 240 council houses for residents on lower incomes.

Proposed works include cavity wall insulation at 100 properties; loft insulation at 100 properties; external wall insulation at 30 properties; installing air source heat pump heating systems at 10 properties.

The Council has been undertaking a two year review of its housing stock that has low energy efficiency ratings.

The properties selected will have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of band D or below, and a household income of less than £30,000 per year.

Tenants will be consulted and also given information on how they can help to reduce their own carbon footprint.

The funding comes from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s Green Homes Grant and it will also be contributing £350,000 to the project.

Councillor Diko Blackings, cabinet member for affordable housing, housing security, and housing the homeless, said: “Buildings are one of Oxford’s largest emitters of carbon, and we need to work with our tenants to make sure that their homes more energy efficient.

"This retrofitting funding will ultimately help us to reduce our emissions, and save our tenants money.”