Scottish House Condition Survey: Methodology Notes 2019

1. Introduction

1. The purpose of this document is to provide information on the definition and methods of derivation of key indicators measured through the Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS) which apply to the reporting of 2019 data.

2. This document is periodically updated to reflect changes in definitions and methods used in SHCS reports. The last time substantial methodological changes were made was with the reporting of 2018 SHCS data, when there was an update to the version of RdSAP used in the methodology for assessing the energy efficiency and environmental performance of dwellings. In addition, in July 2019 the Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act received Royal Assent. This Act contained a new definition of fuel poverty which affected the methodology behind how fuel poverty is defined and measured. These changes have been described in detail in the 2018 methodology note.

3. In the reporting of 2019 data, there has been an update to the energy modelling related to improving the accuracy of calculations surrounding hot water losses. In addition, a household's lights and appliances are now assigned as using an off-peak electricity tariff if an off-peak electricity meter is present, even if there is no form of electric heating in the dwelling.

4. The 2019 Key Findings also includes new presentation of disrepair data. Both the energy modelling and the disrepair changes are described in these methodology notes.

5. The description of the energy modelling methodology and outputs in this document includes contribution from the Building Research Establishment (BRE).