WIREDGOV

Social landlords lead the way.

Low income households are saving on their fuel bills as a result of improved energy efficiency measures in their homes.

In 2014 the Scottish Government set the first energy efficiency standard for social housing, to be achieved by 2020, and 80% of social rented homes are already compliant.

A new standard, launched yesterday, will build on this success and sets an even higher standard of energy efficiency for social housing to meet by 2032.

The Scottish Government has also announced £17.6 million loan funding to support householders in 2019-20 to make their homes more energy efficient.

Last year, 15,000 Scottish households saved more than £4.6 million on fuel bills as a result of energy efficiency measures installed through the Scottish Government’s schemes, such as insulation, double glazing and heating controls.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart yesterday said:

“A warm, safe home gives people a greater sense of wellbeing and saves them money.

“Importantly, by achieving the new standard social landlords will reduce poor energy efficiency to reach our fuel poverty targets and contribute to achieving the Scottish Government’s ambitious climate change emissions reductions targets.

“Social landlords are making excellent progress towards achieving the first energy efficiency milestone and I am confident that they will continue to lead the way in making our homes warmer and greener.

“The additional £3.5 million funding provided through the second round of the Decarbonisation Fund will help further landlords’ progress, encouraging innovative approaches and ideas.”

Background

• The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) aims to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland. It sets a standard based on the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating (broadly EPC Band C or D depending on property and fuel type)

• In 2017-18, a review of EESSH was launched. Informed by consultation responses, a new EESSH2 standard has been confirmed:

All social housing meets, or can be treated as meeting, EPC Band B (Energy Efficiency rating), or is as energy efficient as practically possible, by the end of December 2032 and within the limits of cost, technology and necessary consent

• A second round of the Decarbonisation Fund (£3.5 million) was announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government on 12 June 
• The fund is now open for applications from social landlords, enabling investment in projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce a building’s carbon footprint  
• The Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS): delivery report 2017-2018 shows that more than 15,500 households were assisted in 2017-18 through the HEEPS programmes. It also reports annual CO2 savings of 17,200 tonnes and fuel bill savings of more than £4.6 million
• The Scottish Government’s HEEPS Programme has announced £17.6 million of available loan funding to help householders make their homes more energy efficient
• By the end of 2021, the Scottish Government will have allocated more than £1 billion since 2009 to tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency - making homes warmer and cheaper to heat