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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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