Overview
What are we doing?
We are committed to creating a region that is fair for everyone and where we all have an equal and positive chance to succeed. Tackling fuel poverty will be a key step towards achieving this. Our aim is to provide affordable warmth and healthy homes for everyone living in the Borders.
Our Community Plan sets out the commitment to reduce inequalities and one of the key identified outcomes of our plan is that more people are able to afford to heat their homes. The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) is our key strategic document for planning and delivering initiatives to reduce fuel poverty and improve home energy efficiency. Priority two of the LHS is that more people live in good quality, energy efficient homes.
The Vision for the Affordable Warmth and Home Energy Efficiency Strategy is that more people live in energy efficient and affordably warm homes. The Priorities that work towards fulfilling this Vision are:
- Priority one - to collectively work with our partners to improve affordable warmth and energy efficiency in homes
- Priority two - to explore wider measures to better manage energy and increase warmth in the home
- Priority three - to ensure that the Strategy provides opportunities for all in the Scottish Borders
What can you do?
We are encouraging homeowners, private landlords and social tenants to be more energy efficient in the home.
You can contact Home Energy Scotland for free and impartial advice and support on fuel poverty and energy efficiency on 0808 808 2282 or request a call back. Home Energy Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Savings Trust.
Our simple tips page provides small steps you can take in the home to make a big difference to your energy bills.
If you are looking to find out more about energy efficiency measures, insulating your home and renewable technologies and what difference they can make in your home, then the Energy Savings Trust provides an informative introduction.
Often, the best way to understand the benefits of home renewables is to go and see them yourself. The Green Homes Network is made up of home owners who have been through the process and are keen to share their experiences. Type your postcode into the search bar and see if there is anyone near you that you can arrange to visit.
If you are a private landlord, then Home Energy Scotland provide free advice and property assessments.
What is happening at a Scottish Government level?
Energy Efficient Scotland
The Scottish Government are developing Energy Efficient Scotland. This is a 20 year Route map that sets out a series of actions aimed at making Scotland’s buildings near zero carbon by 2050. The two main objectives are to:
- remove poor energy efficiency as a driver for fuel poverty
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more energy efficient buildings and the decarbonisation of heat supply
To achieve these objectives there will be long-term energy efficiency rating targets for all housing types in Scotland. There will be more ambitious targets for properties with fuel poor households.
As part of our Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency Strategy we will be working with our partners across the Borders to support households to meet these targets.
Energy Efficient Standard for Social Housing
The Scottish Government required that all social housing properties in Scotland met the Energy Efficient Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) target by 2020. There are further targets in place requiring increased standards (EESSH 2) that are to be in place by 2032. If you are a social tenant and want to know whether your home is at the required standard then contact your Registered Social Landlord.
Home Energy Scotland
Contact Home Energy Scotland for free and impartial advice and support on fuel poverty and energy efficiency.