The Scottish House Conditions Survey 2017 has been published today, looking atfuel poverty rates, energy efficiency ratings, carbon emissions, Scottish Housing Quality Standard and disrepair. The survey has shown that 24.9% of households (613,000) were estimated to be in fuel poverty, a similar level to 2016 (26.5% or 649,000 households). 7.0% (or 174,000 households) were living in extreme fuel poverty in 2017. It also showed that fuel poverty has decreased in urban areas: increasing the gap when compared to the rural areas. 51% of fuel poor households are also classed as "older" households.
This study demonstrates that energy efficiency can have a massive effect on a household’s ability to get out of fuel poverty. The steps that households can take do not need to be expensive or impractical.
As we have previously discussed in our blog on fuel poverty, there are several things that individuals can do to to tackle fuel poverty in their own households.
While the main causes of fuel poverty, rising fuel costs and lower wages, isn’t necessarily something we can do much about individually, there are still several steps you can take to tackle fuel poverty:
· Contact Home Energy Scotland for a Home Energy Check During the Home Energy Check, the staff at Home Energy Scotland will make you aware of energy efficiency measures that you can carry out, changes in behaviour that could save you money, and link you up with potential funding options to help make your home more energy efficient.
· Adopt more energy efficient behaviours For example, making simple behavioural changes such as turning off appliances and closing curtains before dusk can save you £130 per year.
· Consider retrofitting energy efficient technologies in your home For example, Glaze & Save InvisiTherm reduces heating bills by 22.5% in rooms with treated windows.
·Maximise your income Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau to find out which benefits you may be entitled to.
·Switch you energy supplier Using a comparison site makes it easy to find the best energy deal
For a handy guide containing dozens of home energy improvements that cost very little (or are completely free) you can check out Glaze & Save’s free Home Energy Hacks Guide, where you can get the details of a plethora of tips, tricks and products to reduce energy consumption in your home.
Cocoon Window Insulation is a trading style of Glaze and Save Ltd