The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Energy efficiency welcomed
TENA NTS COULD save an average £210 a year on their energy bills with the launch of a new efficiency standard, according to housing minister Margaret Burgess.
The Energy Eff iciency Standard for Social Housing aims to help reduce energy consumption and fuel poverty among householders in Scotland.
The Scottish Government said raising energy efficiency ratings from the current Scottish Housing Quality Standard will save an estimated £130 million in fuel costs each year and should significantly reduce annual carbon emissions from housing.
Ms Burgess announced the details on a visit to a housing association development in Linwood, Renfrewshire, yesterday.
She said: “Scotland is outperforming the UKinthedeliveryofhomeenergyefficiency measures that save tenants money, and the introduction of this standard will help enhance our performance for many of the poorest households in Scotland.
“Nonetheless, rising energy prices remain a huge concern for this government, and we will spend almost a quarter of a billion pounds over a three-year period on fuel poverty and energy efficiency.
“While we have managed to help thousands of households in Scotland to have warmer, more energy efficient homes, with independence we would be able to change the way energy efficiency is funded to help even more people.”
The energy efficiency ratings will vary depending on the house type and source of fuel used to heat the dwelling.
Sociallandlordswillhaveaccesstofunding through UK and Scottish Government schemes and compliance will be monitored by the Scottish Housing Regulator.
David Stewart, Scottish Federation of HousingA ssociations policy manager, said its members have the most energy efficient homes in Scotland but a third of all Scots are currently living in fuel poverty.
He said: “It is vitally important that tenants have warm and energy efficient housing. Investing in energy efficiency measures can prevent later spending in areas such as health. People who live in cold, poorly insulated housing can experience physical and mental ill-health and there is even evidence to show that it can affect children’s educational attainment.”