New energy efficiency standard for Scottish social housing

The EESSH has been designed to improve the energy efficiency of the social housing stock in Scotland by helping to reduce energy consumption, fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

Raising energy efficiency ratings from the existing Scottish Housing Quality Standard to the new EESSH standard is anticipated to save around £130 million in fuel costs in Scotland each year.

It is also expected to reduce annual carbon emissions from housing by 760Kt CO2, which is more than the annual emissions from all the households in Aberdeen and Dundee combined.

The Minister officially launched the standard during a visit to a housing association development in Linwood, which has benefited from investment through Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS).

“Scotland is outperforming the UK in the delivery of home energy efficiency measures that save tenants money,” said Margaret Burgess, “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."

David Stewart, Policy Manager at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said:

“While our members have the most energy efficient homes in Scotland, rising fuel prices have pushed the issue up the agenda, and when we consulted with members on the proposed energy efficiency standards, there was agreement that there needs to be a standard set in order to help address fuel poverty."