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EXPERT ADVICE
Green thinking
We reveal the results of recent market research, which shows
there’s a lot more that Scottish homeowners need to know about
the Government’s ‘Green Agenda’.
his summer, ESPC commissioned Below, we share some of the key results: • Homeowners were largely very aware of • 90% of the general homeowner audience
independent market research across • 4 in 5 homeowners were aware of the their property’s energy efficiency status, believe that the Scottish Government should
TEdinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Scottish Government’s net-zero targets. with just 6% of homeowners stating they pay for at least some of the costs associated
Borders, to specifically look at the knowledge However, homeowners (86%) were more were ‘unsure’ of their home’s status. with meeting the proposed EPC rating of C,
and attitudes homeowners have surrounding likely to know this than first-time buyers while one in three felt that all costs should
the Scottish Government’s proposed net-zero (73%), suggesting promotion is required to • 49% of the general homeowner market be covered by the Government.
targets. reach this group who will be most adversely surveyed said that they believed their home
impacted in terms of expense. meets the proposed minimum standards. Paul Hilton, CEO of ESPC, commented:
The research indicated that the Scottish However, 35% of these respondents either “With so much discussion around the Scottish
Government needs to go much further • Around half of homeowners and first- live in a home that actually doesn’t meet the Government’s net zero targets, it could be easy
with promoting, educating and informing time buyers were not aware of the details minimum standards or aren’t completely to assume that everyone is on the same page
homeowners and aspiring homeowners about of an EPC rating or had never heard of an sure of their home’s EPC rating. This means and understands the expectations and the
the implications and expenses of meeting the EPC. that a significant number of homeowners implications that meeting these targets carries.
proposed new standards for energy efficiency. and/or first-time buyers are overestimating However, it’s clear to see from this independent
As part of the stringent targets set by the • 73% of homeowners surveyed said they the energy efficiency of their current home market research that the Government has
Government, homeowners would be expected weren’t aware of the Government plans to or are underestimating how stringent the a long way to go in terms of educating and
to ensure their homes meet a minimum introduce mandatory minimum standards proposed standard is. informing the very homeowners that will be
standard of an EPC rating of C by 2033, which, of energy efficiency for owner-occupied liable for meeting these standards, and for the
depending on your property, may come with properties. • 90% of homeowners surveyed have made costs involved in doing so. This research has
significant refurbishment requirements and at least one change to improve their home’s revealed that great swathes of homeowners
expenses to match. energy efficiency. The most common are not fully aware of the costs involved or the
• Just 7% of participants could correctly upgrade was low-energy lighting, but enforcements that are forthcoming.
identify the minimum proposed EPC rating significant proportions of those surveyed
of C.
made more substantial changes including “At ESPC, we have long been advocating for
upgrading windows (34%), boilers (45%), better support for homeowners on the path
• 32% of those surveyed had not heard of loft and/or roof insulation (43%), and to meet the net zero targets, and this research
the Scottish Government’s plans to phase installing solar panels (12%). highlights how desperately that support is
out fossil fuel gas boilers from 2028. needed – not just financially, but also in terms
• However, 46% of homeowners stated that of making the guidelines, or laws, as they soon
• 45% of those who had heard of the they have not or do not plan to upgrade their may be, accessible and comprehensive across
Government’s net-zero plan were aware current heating system to a zero-emission the board. Much more education is required
of what ‘net-zero’ means for them as a system. Just one in four of those surveyed if the Government truly expects homeowners
homeowner. to meet these standards in the proposed
say that they either have upgraded or plan
to in future. timeline.”
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