£3m more funding to boost energy efficiency of social homes
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Eleven social landlords are to benefit from Scottish Government grants to provide warmer and cheaper-to-heat homes.
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 thanks to 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 £4.6m 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, added: “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.”
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.
The Scottish Government has also announced £17.6m loan funding to support householders in 2019-20 to make their homes more energy efficient.
Successful projects for round 2 of the Decarbonisation Fund, part of the Transition Programme for Energy Efficient Scotland
| Local Authority Area | Housing Association | Details of project | Number of Properties Supported | TOTAL requested |
| East Ayrshire Council | Shire Housing Association | Solar, Heating Upgrade and EWI to 5 Rural EPC band F properties | 5 | £ 60,000 |
| Argyll and Bute Council | Link Group ( LUSS Village ) | underfloor insulation to homes with Biomass installed | 20 | £ 50,712 |
| South Lanarkshire Council | South Lanarkshire Council | Infra-red Heating and LED lighting to Amenity blocks within a travellers site, as well as a Solar PV Farm and Battery Storage | 22 | £ 214,975 |
| City Of Edinburgh Council | Castle Rock Edinvar Housing Association | Battery Storage and Solar PV | 80 | £ 415,000 |
| Highland Council | Highland Council | ASHP and Solar PV // Also 2 test properties with Infra-Red heating and Solar PV // Also Cavity fills where needed | 18 | £ 218,000 |
| North Lanarkshire Council | North Lanarkshire Council | EWI in houses which will have ASHPs installed | 370 | £ 154,500 |
| West Lothian Council | Link Group 2 (BREICH Village) | ASHP and Solar PV + Loft Insulation | 8 | £ 64,560 |
| Stirling Council | Stirling Council | Battery Storage for pre-existing Solar PV | 120 | £ 417,960 |
| Argyll and Bute Council | West Highland Housing Association | High Temp Air to Water Heat pumps + Heat storage batteries in off gas areas ( Oban and Mull ) | 25 | £ 146,132 |
| Moray Council | Grampian Housing Association | EWI will be installed, also Combining electric heating systems with battery storage systems; Minimum of 35 homes | 35 | £ 277,149 |
| Clackmannanshire Council | Ochil View Housing Association | EWI Install and Solar PV | 55 | £ 353,816 |
| City Of Edinburgh Council | City of Edinburgh council | Solar PV and Battery Storage | 112 | £ 563,388 |
|
| TOTAL |
| 870 | £ 2,936,192 |
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