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Energy performance certificates won't change human behaviour Energy performance certificates won't change human behaviour
(5 months later)
In late January, the Scottish government published a draft of its updated climate plan. This second report lays out the government's action plan for achieving Scotland's ambitious emissions targets, which aim at a 42% cut by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.In late January, the Scottish government published a draft of its updated climate plan. This second report lays out the government's action plan for achieving Scotland's ambitious emissions targets, which aim at a 42% cut by 2020 and an 80% reduction by 2050.
The report recognises that greatly increasing the energy efficiency of Scotland's existing housing stock will be crucial if these targets are to be met. One tool the government has identified to encourage change is the energy performance certificate (EPC) component of Scotland's home report pack.The report recognises that greatly increasing the energy efficiency of Scotland's existing housing stock will be crucial if these targets are to be met. One tool the government has identified to encourage change is the energy performance certificate (EPC) component of Scotland's home report pack.
Scotland's energy efficiency action plan states: "Many owners and landlords already understand the benefits of energy efficiency … the requirements to produce energy performance cerfiticates and energy reports as part of the Home Report will further this awareness among people selling and buying homes.Scotland's energy efficiency action plan states: "Many owners and landlords already understand the benefits of energy efficiency … the requirements to produce energy performance cerfiticates and energy reports as part of the Home Report will further this awareness among people selling and buying homes.
"We want to reach a position where potential tenants and purchasers demand an energy efficient home as a matter of course.""We want to reach a position where potential tenants and purchasers demand an energy efficient home as a matter of course."
And Scotland's housing strategy adds: "As more people make use of the Home Report system when moving house, the level of knowledge of condition and energy efficiency of privately owned properties will also be increased, helping people make better decisions about the quality of their homes."And Scotland's housing strategy adds: "As more people make use of the Home Report system when moving house, the level of knowledge of condition and energy efficiency of privately owned properties will also be increased, helping people make better decisions about the quality of their homes."
Unfortunately this is optimism from the government, not a reality in Scotland today. A survey carried out by Consumer Focus found that only 14% of respondents cited some aspect of energy efficiency as being important in choosing a property and just 17% acted on any energy efficiency recommendations after moving into the property.Unfortunately this is optimism from the government, not a reality in Scotland today. A survey carried out by Consumer Focus found that only 14% of respondents cited some aspect of energy efficiency as being important in choosing a property and just 17% acted on any energy efficiency recommendations after moving into the property.
These findings fit with our own research which found that energy efficiency is not of paramount importance for most Scottish buyers. From their perspective, the location and size of property are more important.These findings fit with our own research which found that energy efficiency is not of paramount importance for most Scottish buyers. From their perspective, the location and size of property are more important.
So what can be done to change behaviour. There are a number of options that could stimulate energy efficiency in residential homes across Scotland:So what can be done to change behaviour. There are a number of options that could stimulate energy efficiency in residential homes across Scotland:
• Sending homeowners a reminder of their property's EPC rating and the potential improvements that can be made six to 12 months after they move into a property• Sending homeowners a reminder of their property's EPC rating and the potential improvements that can be made six to 12 months after they move into a property
At present the EPC is only brought to residents' attention when they first buy or rent a property. This is a time full of costs and stresses, and the idea of making energy efficiency improvements may be forgotten or pushed aside. A reminder, sent once people have settled into their new homes, of the potential savings that improvements could make may lead to an upturn in the rate of improvement.At present the EPC is only brought to residents' attention when they first buy or rent a property. This is a time full of costs and stresses, and the idea of making energy efficiency improvements may be forgotten or pushed aside. A reminder, sent once people have settled into their new homes, of the potential savings that improvements could make may lead to an upturn in the rate of improvement.
• Investigating ways of encouraging existing homeowners to get an energy assessment of their property • Investigating ways of encouraging existing homeowners to get an energy assessment of their property
It's only when owners come to sell or rent their property that they take the time to get an EPC, which puts a natural restraint on the rate at which improvements will be made. The Green Deal, which offers one potential mechanism to motivate homeowners to assess their home's energy efficiency and make changes, could be promoted more widely.It's only when owners come to sell or rent their property that they take the time to get an EPC, which puts a natural restraint on the rate at which improvements will be made. The Green Deal, which offers one potential mechanism to motivate homeowners to assess their home's energy efficiency and make changes, could be promoted more widely.
• Conducting further research into precisely what improvements are – or are not – being made• Conducting further research into precisely what improvements are – or are not – being made
To date, much research has focused on simply whether any improvements were made based on recommendations in the EPC. It is equally important to assess whether the improvements made have been fully understood by homeowners, and if the changes made have been substantive.To date, much research has focused on simply whether any improvements were made based on recommendations in the EPC. It is equally important to assess whether the improvements made have been fully understood by homeowners, and if the changes made have been substantive.
• Asking which planning laws and regulations allow existing properties to be improved• Asking which planning laws and regulations allow existing properties to be improved
Depending on the results, it may be desirable to relax certain restrictions on renovations, such as restrictions on listed buildings for, if the work is being done for the purposes of improving energy efficiency.Depending on the results, it may be desirable to relax certain restrictions on renovations, such as restrictions on listed buildings for, if the work is being done for the purposes of improving energy efficiency.
Understanding how we can continue to keep our homes warm and comfortable cheaply is essential if Scotland is to reach its challenging climate goals. EPCs cannot, in isolation, achieve the rate of change anticipated. The Scottish government must do more to force a change in behaviour.Understanding how we can continue to keep our homes warm and comfortable cheaply is essential if Scotland is to reach its challenging climate goals. EPCs cannot, in isolation, achieve the rate of change anticipated. The Scottish government must do more to force a change in behaviour.
Malcolm Cannon is chief executive of ESPCMalcolm Cannon is chief executive of ESPC
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