Tag: warmer homes

‘Ambitious step change’ outlined for greener and warmer buildings in Scotland

Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency

Clean heating systems will replace polluting heating systems in Scotland’s homes and buildings by 2045 under proposals published yesterday.

Under legislation to be introduced in 2025 which will start taking effect later in the decade, those buying new homes or buildings would be asked to move to a “clean” heating system, such as a heat pump or connection to a heat network, within a fixed period of time following that purchase.

Of the UK nations, Scotland continues to have the most generous funding package of grants and loans available to households who are seeking to switch to clean heating systems.

Minimum energy efficiency standards for Scotland’s homes could also be introduced to make them warmer and less expensive to heat.

Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Heat from our homes and buildings represents around 20% of Scotland’s carbon emissions.

“So there is no route to meeting our legal duty to be a net zero country by 2045 without making the heat transition. Making this transition can also liberate households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices.

“There will be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to what we’re proposing – we recognise that different types of buildings in different areas need different solutions – but today we are giving certainty to households to plan and clarity for businesses to invest, with a pathway which recognises the cost pressures that so many of us are currently facing. 

“We’ve already passed regulations for new buildings, to apply from next year. If Parliament passes our Bill in 2025, then regulations will start to apply from 2028, with many more buildings moving away from fossil fuel through the 2030s. That will see Scotland on by far the most ambitious path within the UK, with a deployment of clean heating systems at a scale and pace very much faster than at present.

“The UK Government has the opportunity to match our ambition by using its reserved powers to take urgent action to reduce the price gap between gas and electricity, and by regulating energy companies to play their full part in this transition.”  

The consultation also includes measures to encourage the development of heat networks – giving those constructing these vital systems the confidence they need to invest on the basis that there will be sufficient demand.

The proposals follow this year’s introduction of a new build heat standard which means that any buildings constructed under a new warrant from April 2024 must have a clean heating system.

 The Scottish Government is asking for views on proposals to form part of a Heat in Buildings Bill as set out in the Programme for Government.

Proposals include:

  • That private rented homes will be required to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard no later than 2028;
  • That owner-occupied homes will be required to meet the same minimum energy efficiency standard by the end of 2033;
  • That all homes and non-domestic buildings will be required to end their use of polluting heating by the end of 2045; and
  • In order to create a smooth trajectory towards 2045, that those purchasing a home or non-domestic property before 2045 would be required to end their use of polluting heating systems within a specific period following that purchase.

Also published today are proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard that would require social landlords to meet an energy efficiency standard between 2033 and 2040 and install clean heating across their stock by 2045 where it is technically feasible and cost-effective to do so.

Consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill

Social Housing Net Zero consultation

Council and Changeworks insulate homes in Oxgangs

In partnership with the leading environmental charity Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council is helping homeowners transform the energy efficiency of their homes.

Making 166 homes in Oxgangs warmer and fit for the future by improving external wall insulation, more than 50 properties have already received major improvements with over a hundred others to be completed by the Spring.

Funding is provided by the Scottish Government through the Energy Efficient Scotland; Area based Scheme (EES:ABS). These area-based schemes are designed and delivered by councils with local delivery partners. They target fuel-poor areas to provide energy efficiency measures to a large number of Scottish homes while delivering emission savings and helping to reduce fuel poverty.

The schemes in Oxgangs are helping households make major improvements to their home at a significantly lowered cost. Some households even qualify to have the work done for free, completely removing the financial burden for households at a time when that relief could not be more needed. Installing insulation makes it cheaper and easier to heat the home, meaning householders can expect to save on their heating bills.

Oxgangs is an area that does suffer from a higher rate of poverty than other areas of the city and all houses included in the project are in Council Tax bands A to C. This project, with a total funding of £1.9 million, is targeted at reaching those most in need. The EES:ABS scheme is open to private householders and mixed tenure blocks have been targeted too, benefitting both social housing tenants and private householders. The Council is directly funding the works to Council homes. 

Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation which means their homes will keep more heat in. This is important because it means more Oxgangs residents are going to see their homes stay warmer for longer, at a time when temperatures are low but energy bills are worryingly high.

As people become more conscious of their energy use, these projects will have a real impact – both on the planet and Edinburgh’s net zero goals and on the lives of homeowners and tenants who need this support now, more than ever.

One resident who received the external wall insulation is Catherine Murray, who says she’s “delighted” with the difference it’s made. She said: “My house is warmer, much warmer, it’s really noticeable. I don’t need the heating on as much, I put it on in the morning and then the house is fine until I put it on again at about 7 or 8 until I go to bed. If I’m in the living room, it contains the heat.

“We’re on the main road and the people that pass stop and look, it’s amazing. People stop to comment on it.

“It really brightens the place up, I don’t get out much anymore but when I do, it makes you feel better when you do come into the area, you can really see the difference between the ones that have been done and the ones that haven’t been done, it’s great. I really appreciate the work that’s been done.”

Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation installed by contractor SERS. Not only does this mean that their homes will keep more heat in, keeping them warmer for longer and requiring less energy to heat, it provides a complete refresh of the outside of the property too.

With it being an external insulation measure, there’s no work done inside the house.

Alongside the Oxgangs project which is currently underway there are four other retrofit schemes in Edinburgh which form part of the EES:ABS 2022/23 programme.

These include an external wall insulation and solar PV scheme in Gilmerton, a fabric improvement programme in Murrayburn and Drumbryden, a citywide internal wall insulation roll out and hard-to-treat cavity and solar PV works across the EH16 and EH17 postcode areas.

To register your interest in similar schemes should they become available in your area, fill in this simple online form.

Support available to help you save on heating bills this winter

An additional £18 million will be available this year to help householders install energy efficient measures and reduce their heating bills, bringing the total support available through Home Energy Scotland to £50 million in 2021-2022.

People in Edinburgh and across the country are being urged to seek support and advice from Home Energy Scotland to help make their homes warmer and reduce their heating bills, on average by up to £300 per year.

Financial support worth up to £5,000 is also available to make homes more energy efficient through improvements like home insulation or a new heating system.

Home Energy Scotland also supports households with practical advice and, where appropriate, install energy efficient measures – making homes more energy efficient and saving householders money.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings Patrick Harvie, said: “As the colder weather returns and given the concern around rising energy bills, we want to ensure people living in Edinburgh and around Scotland are aware of the support available to keep their homes warm this winter.

“Home Energy Scotland offers advice, support and funding to help people make energy saving improvements, helping them reduce their energy costs.

“The free impartial advice and support is available for anyone concerned about paying their energy bills and we would urge people struggling with their fuel bills to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland.”

Recent research by Home Energy Scotland shows that 70% of people in Scotland feel concerned about energy bills rising, with almost two thirds using more energy than usual during the first 12 months of the pandemic. The research also found that 59% of Scots have noticed a worrying rise in their energy bills already.

Harry Mayers, Head of Home Energy Scotland said: “24,000 households across the country including Edinburgh have already benefited from new energy efficient measures, like a new heating system or insulation, by getting in contact with Home Energy Scotland.

“But with people spending more time at home over the past 18 months due to coronavirus, energy usage has been greater than ever. We therefore want to be able to help even more people to make energy saving improvements to their home.

“A home that isn’t well insulated can lose more than 50% of its heat through its roof and walls so making improvements can help your finances and make your home more energy efficient, comfortable and cheaper to heat while helping lower emissions in Scotland”.