Social housing: net zero progress report - quarter 2 2024

Project Title: Net Zero Heat Project, Kirkbank, Auchmithie

Project Organisation: Angus Housing Association

Technology Type(s): ASHP, Solar PV, Battery Storage and UFI

Location(s): Auchmithie, Scottish Borders Council

Grant Value: £550,149

Completion Date: May 2022

Project Headline: Providing Clean Heating and reduced energy bills to 36 rural properties in the Scottish borders

Project Description:

The project provided clean heating to 36 properties in Auchmithie, Scottish Borders. The properties received an ASHP, solar PV and battery storage technology to decarbonise the heat provision in these homes and bring further benefits to tenants in terms of utility bill savings. The properties were heated by inefficient, traditional storage heating systems and twin immersion dual hot water cylinders, which all tenants had said were expensive to run.

The project had been designed to ensure those most likely to be in or at risk of fuel poverty and living in properties that are the least energy efficient are included. The homes selected for intervention were failing the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) and were located within a rural area; resulting in additional travel spend to allow householders to access vital amenities which further exacerbated the difficulties tenants faced in heating their homes. To ensure the newly installed heating systems perform as effectively as possible, underfloor insulation was also installed where required.

This project was the initial phase in Angus Housing Association’s drive to contribute towards Scottish Government’s fuel poverty and net zero targets. The insight gained from this pilot will allow them to take forward a long-term plan of decarbonisation, with tenant outcomes at the centre of their considerations.