Social housing to be more energy efficient

People who rent their homes will get warmer and cheaper-to-heat housing as a result of major Scottish Government investment.

Technology like underfloor heating, ground source heat pumps and solar panels will be installed to reduce the carbon footprint of almost 900 social rented properties.

Grants to pay for the work will be given to eleven social landlords through a £3 million second round of the Decarbonisation Fund.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart visited Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association in Edinburgh to see battery storage and solar panels which will be installed in 80 homes with the new funding.

He said:

“A warm, energy efficient home means cheaper energy bills for tenants as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“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.

“This funding will support our work to remove poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty, as well as helping meet our climate change targets.

“Social landlords are making excellent progress towards achieving the first Energy Efficiency Standard Social Standard for Housing, reporting that 85% of social rented homes already meet the standard for 2020, with a new standard confirmed for 2032. 

“This funding will help further landlords’ progress, encouraging innovative approaches and ideas.”

Ben Dyer, Technology and Innovation Lead at Castle Rock Edinvar, said:

“Funds such as this offer social landlords a great opportunity to test new concepts and share the experience to the benefit of the environment and customers. Castle Rock Edinvar will continue to push for lower carbon solutions that improve living conditions for our customers and to promote environmental awareness. We are excited by the prospect of fitting existing housing stock with new technology that has the potential to have such a positive impact.”

Background

The Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) aims to encourage landlords to improve the energy efficiency of social housing in Scotland. It sets a single minimum Energy Efficiency rating for landlords to achieve which varies dependent upon the dwelling type and the fuel type used to heat it.

Following public consultation, a new EESSH2 milestone has been confirmed that:

• 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

The Decarbonisation Fund assists social landlords in complying with the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing 2020, and also maximising compliance with the standard agreed for 2032. Read further information on successful applications.

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