FEATURES
PROJECTS
Energy Efficiency and the
Older Property
Norman Kerr, Director of the charity Energy Action
Scotland, discusses aspirations to make homes
more energy efficient.
ew people will have failed to notice the sharp rise
in fuel bills to heat and power our homes in the
last few years and in particular over the last long
winter. As a result, many people want to cut back
their fuel bills and may well be turning down their heating
just when they need it most.
While some of the remedy lies in the careful
management of domestic energy use and in shopping
around for the best energy deals, there is a widely held view
that the real solution is to make our buildings more energy
efficient.
Of course, improving levels of energy efficiency may not
only be good for the bank balance, but can also bring wider
environmental benefits through emissions reduction and
social benefits such as a reduction in fuel poverty. By
reducing heat loss through the fabric of the building, for
example, it is possible to achieve lower fuel bills. Because of
these multiple factors, government at all levels is keen that
we take action to make our homes more energy efficient.
In recognition of this aim, building standards have been
improved to take cognisance of energy performance. But as
the bar is raised for new-build, what is being done to
improve existing housing and older, more traditional
properties, in particular? Does living in an older property
mean that energy efficient living is beyond our grasp?
F
Legislative Framework
The Scottish Government has set out its housing priorities
in ‘Homes Fit for the 21st Century’. As a result of this and
other plans – such as its widely publicised climate change
targets - it has published an Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
The action plan sets out the framework for the Scottish
Government's approach to energy efficiency and microgeneration. It focuses on the contribution these can make
to energy and economic development, their role in
reducing energy consumption in buildings and transport,
and in delivering climate change targets.
The plan states that: “In order to deliver the targets set in
the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, we must deliver a
step-change reduction in energy use and move to noncarbon alternatives … this plan reinforces the urgent need
for action on energy efficiency.”
It continues: “Improving the energy efficiency of the
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THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
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AUTUMN 2013
domestic sector is vital, as around 29% of all energy
consumed in Scotland is used in our homes for space and
water heating, cooking, lighting, and running electric
appliances.”
Specifically, Action 2.5 states that Historic Scotland will
take the lead in researching and promoting energy efficiency
in traditional buildings. As part of this it will:
i. carry out research and case study projects, and
disseminate findings to and through relevant partners,
publications and digital media in order to improve advice
provision, skills and qualifications for the public and
professionals on energy efficiency improvement of
traditional housing; and
ii. include energy efficiency in domestic properties in its
existing and future regeneration and grants programmes,
such as the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme.
Indeed, Historic Scotland has published an online series of
Refurbishment Case Study reports. The reports cover a
series of projects where 19th and early 20th century
buildings received energy efficiency and thermal
improvements. The examples include detached rural
cottages and tenement flats, and describe practical options
for improving the thermal properties of roof spaces, walls,
floors, doors, windows, fireplaces and chimneys.
This summer and following consultation, the Scottish
Government published its Sustainable Housing Strategy
which sets out its “vision for warm, high quality, affordable,
low carbon homes”. Launching the strategy in June, Housing
Minister Margaret Burgess said that by 2020 all homes in
Scotland are to have loft and cavity wall insulation, where
this is possible, and every home with gas central heating will
have an energy efficient boiler with appropriate controls.