The Scottish Government’s Area Based Scheme (ABS) project aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions by:
- Reducing energy consumption,
- Improving health and wellbeing, and
- Increasing the energy efficiency of Scotland’s housing stock.
In 2022-23, following receipt of grant funding, Fife Council installed a range of fabric upgrades and renewable technology at 186 residential properties. Changeworks helped Fife Council evaluate the success of the 2022-23 multi-measure project.
How did we evaluate the project?
Changeworks’ evaluation framework for retrofit projects has been developed and refined on live projects since 2017. It is based on a results chain that meets the needs of funding programmes and has clear indicators of success.
For this project we gathered data on households’ lived experience and energy consumption. We also carried out analysis of the changes in Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) bands.
By using a number of different data collection methods, including directly engaging with households, we built a rounded picture of the impacts on households.
Project area
To ensure the project helps the people who need it most, careful selection of area and properties is necessary. Several data sets helped to identify areas at high risk of fuel poverty. These included income deprivation rates from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020, as well as EPC bands.
Of the completed properties, 47% were identified as being in extreme fuel poverty. The national average is 18.5% indicating that the project area has been correctly targeted.
What were the results?
- Lower energy bills
- Improved home environments
- Increased energy efficiency
Lower energy bills
People found heating their homes more affordable after the project. Average annual savings were £55 for gas and £226 for electricity.
The project also reduced the impact of energy costs as a driver of fuel poverty. Following upgrades, the number of households paying over 10% of their income on energy bills was reduced.
Scottish legislation defines a fuel poor household as one where:
- more than 10% (20% for extreme fuel poverty) of net income is required to pay for their reasonable fuel needs after housing costs have been deducted
- the remaining household income is not enough to maintain an acceptable standard of living, defined as at least 90% of the UK Minimum Income Standard (MIS) once childcare costs and disability or care benefits are deducted
Improved home environments
Over two thirds of all households reported an increase in their comfort at home following the project. Specifically, people said their homes were easier to heat, staying warmer for longer and proving less prone to draughts.
After the project:
- 84% reported that their homes stayed warmer for longer
- 59% reported a reduction in draughts
- 67% reported that the energy efficiency measures had improved comfort.
Increased energy efficiency
By analysing EPC ratings before and after the project we were able to evaluate the effect on the energy efficiency of the properties.
We found that the multi-measure upgrades increased the average EPC rating by 10 points, raising the average EPC band from D to C.
Household satisfaction
The positive results seen from the EPC analysis were backed up by the results of household surveys.
Over 90% of households were ‘satisfied’ with their energy efficiency upgrades. The majority thought that the project had improved their home’s energy efficiency, comfort levels, environmental impact and energy usage.
Why evaluate?
This evaluation collected evidence to demonstrate how well the project achieved its goals. This enables project leaders to showcase the work after it has been completed. It also evidences the impact the project has had, both the expected and the unexpected, and captures learnings that will strengthen future projects.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how evaluation can help with your work, please get in touch.