New polling from Changeworks reveals that 39% of people in Scotland say their home is usually or always cold.
With fuel poverty at alarming levels and 2030 climate targets looming, the need to improve the energy efficiency of homes to lower energy bills and carbon emissions is more urgent than ever.
Working with councils across Scotland, Changeworks delivers Area Based Schemes (ABS) to support those most in need with large-scale home retrofit, making homes warmer and more affordable to heat.
As councils prepare for the next cycle of ABS funding, Changeworks is ready to support councils to expand ABS delivery and reach even more households in fuel poverty.
Scotland’s housing stock is among the least energy efficient in Europe, contributing to the country’s fuel poverty crisis and climate challenge. Homes account for around 13% of Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly one in three (34%) households are estimated to be in fuel poverty.
Improving the energy efficiency of homes is therefore essential to deliver a fair and inclusive transition to net zero, and the Government-funded ABS programme is a key part of this journey.
Since 2014, Changeworks has led the way as Scotland’s largest ABS delivery agent, supporting councils to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions through large-scale energy efficiency improvements.
In 2023/24 alone, Changeworks helped install more than 2,814 energy efficiency improvements in homes across Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Moray, Fife, the Borders and Midlothian.
This work has real-life impact. A recent ABS-funded retrofit project that Changeworks delivered for Fife Council saw 186 homes fitted with fabric insulation and renewable technology.
Residents reported average electricity bill savings of £226, with 84% saying their homes stayed warmer for longer.
Over two-thirds felt more comfortable at home, and the average EPC rating jumped from band D to C.
ABS delivery also made a huge difference for Maggie, a householder who had internal wall insulation installed.
Maggie commented: “Last winter my bedroom dropped to six degrees overnight. Now it’s much warmer – the house holds heat better. It’s definitely more comfortable in the house. I would absolutely recommend the insulation works.”
Josiah Lockhart, Chief Executive of Changeworks, said: “Area Based Schemes are one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle fuel poverty and decarbonise our homes. But to reach more people, faster, councils need support to scale up.
“That’s what Changeworks is here for – to help councils deliver positive, life-changing outcomes for householders.”
Changeworks provides end-to-end support that ensures projects meet funding requirements and deliver measurable outcomes, and can support with writing successful bids, targeting the right communities, managing delivery, and ensuring robust evaluation and quality assurance.
Interested in finding out how Changeworks can support your ABS bids and delivery?
Get in touch with our team today.
