Scottish Borders Council installed energy efficiency measures in 86 homes over the 2023/24 period as part of the Scottish Government’s Area Based Scheme (ABS) programme.
Changeworks’ Impact Evaluation team was involved throughout the project, collecting data to evaluate how well the measures met the overall aim of the ABS programme – to support fuel poor households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Measures were installed in privately owned homes.
161 measures were installed across these properties, including:
- Internal wall insulation
- Solar PV
- Battery storage
- Air source heat pumps
What is the Area Based Scheme programme?
The Area Based Scheme (ABS) programme aims to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions by installing energy efficiency measures in homes. By doing this homes should use less energy and residents should experience improved health and wellbeing.
The ultimate aims of ABS is to reduce carbon emissions from homes and reduce the role of poor energy efficiency as a driver of fuel poverty.
We are the largest managing agent of ABS, and have been delivering these projects for local authorities across Scotland since 2013, improving the energy efficiency of homes for thousands of householders from the Borders in the south to Moray in the north.
How did we evaluate the project?
To evaluate the project, the team used:
One survey at the very start of the installation, a second survey immediately after install to gather feedback about the installation process, and a third survey 9-12 months after works were complete. The data from these surveys gives a picture of how people’s lived experiences changed over time.
For households where batteries were installed, we collected data on battery usage, household energy demand and the energy mix from solar PV generation and the national grid.
Changeworks compared the EPC created before and after the measures were installed.
Key findings
Our Impact Evaluation team evaluated the installation of these measures via household surveys, collecting battery storage data and, analysing EPC data. Key findings included:
Fuel poverty
- After the installation of measures, the proportion of households paying more than 10% of their net household income on energy bills fell from 28% to 14%.
- Solar generation covered 63% of annual household energy needs where this measure was installed, saving each household nearly £900 on average.
- The proportion of people who said they worried “all the time” about their energy bills feel from 17% to zero.
Home energy efficiency ratings increased
- The average home energy efficiency rating of properties fitted with energy efficiency measures increased from EPC band D to C.
- 39% of properties are now in Band B compared to none before the project.
Overall comfort of homes increased
- Those who said they can heat their homes to a comfortable temperature without using additional heaters more than doubled after the installation of internal wall insulation – 36% before and 85% after.
- Reports of damp, condensation, mould and draughts all reduced following the installation of measures.
What the client said
One resident, who had measures fitted in their home, said:
“My husband felt the cold more as he has an illness, but since our new heating system was installed he is far more comfortable.”
Julie Smith, Senior Energy Efficiency Strategy Officer at Scottish Borders Council, said:
“This programme has delivered transformative results for households across the Scottish Borders, with outcomes that will provide lasting financial and environmental benefits for our residents.
“It is tremendously encouraging to see a significant reduction in residents worrying about energy bills, and to know that homes across the region are warmer, drier and more comfortable than before.
“Changeworks’ expertise and commitment have been instrumental in achieving results that we are truly proud of.”
Ian Cochran, Head of Consultancy at Changeworks said:
“The results from this programme are exceptional, with 39% of properties now in band B where previously there were none, and solar PV and battery systems covering 63% of annual household energy needs.
“The reduction in residents worrying about energy bills, combined with improvements in comfort and a significant decline in issues with mould, damp and draughts, demonstrates that this programme is delivering meaningful change to people’s everyday lives.
“Findings like these are a powerful reminder of why the Area Based Scheme remains one of Scotland’s most important tools in the fight against fuel poverty.”
Download the full Scottish Borders Council ABS report
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