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, Scottish Borders Council installed a range of fabric upgrades and renewable technology at 166 residential properties. Changeworks helped Scottish Borders 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 people’s 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 impact of the project 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, over a third received additional financial support. This came via households being classed as in extreme fuel poverty.
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
What were the results?
Energy affordability increased
People found it more affordable to heat their homes after the project. Although self-reported energy costs remained the same, homes retained heat better. This helped reduce stress about energy bills, with over a third of households now feeling less worried about their energy costs than before.
“[I] have managed to reduce my energy bills despite the cost of living rise and the house feels like it is maintained heat in most rooms.”
Improved home environments
Changeworks monitored the indoor environment of a small number of properties to see how energy efficiency upgrades affected temperature and humidity.
In heat pump properties, the average household temperature increased to 21°C.
Internal Wall Insulation lowered humidity in all rooms. As a result, these homes are less likely to have issues with condensation and mould.
In the household surveys, 70% of people felt their homes were easier to heat.
Increased energy efficiency
The project increased the average EPC score by 13 points. This raised the average EPC band from D to C.
Household satisfaction
The positive results seen from the SAP analysis were reflected in the results of household surveys, as 80% of households reported they were ‘satisfied’ with their energy efficiency upgrades.
When asked about what specifically they felt had improved about their home, people said ‘comfort’ and ‘energy efficiency’.
When asked about what specifically they felt had improved about their home, people said ‘comfort’ and ‘energy efficiency’.
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.