Social housing: net zero progress report - quarter 2 2024

Project Title: Aberdeenshire Council - Steps to Net Zero for Hard-to-Treat Properties

Project Organisation: Aberdeenshire Council

Technology Type(s): HHRSH, IWI, Solar PV

Location(s): Multiple locations across Aberdeenshire Council including: Aberchirder, Bridge of Marnoch, Fraserbugh, Huntly, Inverurie, Peterhead and Stonehaven.

Grant Value: £2,523,860

Completion Date: February 2023

Project Headline: Upgrading of 120 hard to treat properties with Internal Wall Insulation, High Retention Storage Heaters and Solar Panels

Project Description:

The project scaled up an existing Aberdeenshire Council program that involved carrying out works to void properties, comprising a mix of houses and flats. These are all hard-to-treat properties, typically with stone cladding making both External and Cavity Wall Insulation unsuitable. Therefore, Internal Wall Insulation was deemed the most appropriate solution for these properties, alongside other insulation measures as required and where applicable.

The properties included were all vacant properties owned by Aberdeenshire Council, in various locations across Aberdeenshire. Due to the disruption IWI could cause to tenants the decision was taken to install the IWI and appropriate complimentary measures in the void period between tenancies, maximising efficiencies in terms of installs.

The properties had old heating systems that included a mix of electric storage heating and oil and gas fired central heating. Energy efficiency measures installed primarily included internal wall insulation, alongside a mixture of other measures which depended on the particular property. These measures include the following: loft insulation, under-floor insulation room-in-the-roof insulation and double or secondary glazing.

High Heat Retention Storage Heaters and Solar PV were also installed alongside the energy efficiency measures wherever the existing heating system required replacement. The project aimed to provide a significant step towards meeting climate change goals in hard to treat properties, avoiding increases in household energy bills and disruption to tenants.