Energy Efficient Scotland: Improving energy efficiency in owner occupied homes

Feedback updated 24 Mar 2021

Results updated 24 Mar 2021

The analysis of responses to the Energy Efficient Scotland consultation on improving energy efficiency in owner-occupied homes has been completed. The consultation exercise ran from 19 December 2019 to 9 April 2020. The Scottish Government received 148 responses to the consultation.

The consultation document set out the Scottish Government's proposals for the nature of the proposed energy efficiency standard for owner-occupied homes (EPC Band C or better), and for the intention to make this legally-binding from 2024. The consultation invited feedback from the public to inform measures around energy efficiency in the owner-occupied sector.

The questions were wide-ranging, and findings related to each of them have been outlined in detail in the report. Many of the views expressed were mixed, with numbers of respondents in favour of the proposals often being similar to those against the proposals overall. All of the responses have been analysed and the following findings emerged:

• There were mixed views on whether there should be a legally-binding standard, with organisations being more likely to support this than individuals.
• A majority of respondents agreed that EPC Band C should be the standard required to be met by homeowners, but a substantial number of respondents raised concerns about the effectiveness of the EPC including among them half of the professional bodies responding to the consultation.
• A majority of respondents disagreed that 2024 is the right start date for the mandatory standard to start operating, with many stating that it was too early. Organisations were more likely to be in favour of this start-point than individuals.
• The majority agreed with the proposal that the point of sale should be a trigger point for a property to meet the legally-binding standard. However, almost as many disagreed, with concerns that this could negatively impact on the housing market.
• The majority of respondents agreed that point of major renovation should be a trigger point for a property to meet the legally-binding standard, with agreement levels particularly high among organisations. Individuals responding were more mixed in their views, with some concerns about additional costs being added to already costly renovations.
• Many respondents - 70% - agreed that, even if a property can't fully meet the standard, it should be required to get as close as possible to it.
• There were mixed responses to the proposal that any exemptions or abeyances from the standard should be time-limited, with organisations more likely than individuals to agree.
• Most respondents agreed that grant funding from the public purse should be focused on households who are vulnerable or in fuel poverty, although views were more mixed among individuals than organisations (who were largely in favour).

In addition, a number of cross-cutting issues emerged from the research. These are described in detail within the report which can be found in the Executive Summary of the consultation analysis document. https://www.gov.scot/publications/energy-efficient-scotland-improving-energy-efficiency-owner-occupied-homes-analysis-responses-public-consultation-exercise/

Links:

• Analysis of responses to the public consultation on improving energy efficiency of owner occupied homes
• Draft Heat in Buildings Strategy

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.