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, Moray Council installed a range of fabric upgrades and renewable technology at 205 residential properties. Changeworks helped Moray 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, 15% were identified as being in extreme fuel poverty.
What were the results?
- Reduced energy use
- Improved home environments
- Increased energy efficiency
Reduced energy use
Following the installation of energy efficiency measures, both gas and electricity use fell. This reduced energy consumption led to average annual savings of £47 for gas and £288 for electricity.
As a result, the proportion of households who found their energy bills affordable more than doubled.
The project also reduced energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty. Following the installation of energy efficiency upgrades, the number of people 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
Changeworks monitored the indoor environment of a small number of properties to see how energy efficiency upgrades affected temperature and humidity.
After the project, homes achieved an average temperature in line with the Energy Saving Trust’s minimum recommended comfort temperature. Additionally, average relative humidity levels decreased and are now within a healthy range.
In the household surveys, the majority of people who received insulation reported that their home comfort had increased.
Increased energy efficiency
The project increased the average EPC score by 11 points and raised the average EPC band from D to C.
Household satisfaction
71% of households reported being ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the energy efficiency upgrades to their home. Additionally, 61% indicated the new measures had improved their home in the way they had hoped.
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.