Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing post 2020: interim guidance for social landlords

4. Action by landlords in the review period

4.1 Landlords and tenants are under exceptional financial pressure in the current climate. However, it remains the case that the suspension of EESSH2 milestones is not to be used as a rationale for non-investment in the improvement of housing stock.

4.2 The aim of the EESSH2 review which culminated in the consultation in proposals for a SHNZS is to ensure that investment is targeted toward effective long-term solutions that deliver net zero and support the eradication of fuel poverty. It will help support the delivery of the statutory target that by 2040 no more than 5% of households in each local authority area should be in fuel poverty.^[9]

4.3 The SHNZS consultation will result in new targets for domestic dwellings that meet the aims outlined in the ZEST report and the Scottish Government’s response. These targets will be set based on what is considered achievable by the milestone date, assuming continued investment in houses between now and that date. In the meantime, landlords should continue to invest in appropriate measures to improve the energy efficiency of their tenants’ homes, and where possible in clean heating systems, to ensure that they are in the best position possible to work towards the SHNZS when this is finalised and implemented.

4.4 During the review period, landlords should continue with planned investment in energy efficiency measures and decarbonising heating systems, prioritising this investment on measures that will contribute towards meeting the net zero target.

4.5 Priority should be given to what has the biggest impact for the lowest cost. Fabric first is essential as a low regret investment. The following areas should be prioritised for investment in the review period:

• Fabric first (measures to improve thermal efficiency and heat loss, and any associated ventilation required);
• Reducing the energy use of property (kWh/m²/year);
• Measures that use zero emission electrical heating;
• Projects for connecting to district heating;
• Projects for communal heating systems;
• Projects that make a significant difference to complex-to-decarbonise properties; and
• Projects that help to model the actual performance of new technologies, its impact on buildings, and its use by tenants;
• Improving data collection and management.

4.6 The following table is an illustrative list of measures that should be considered for investment in the review period.

Fabric Measures

• Double glazing
• Secondary glazing
• Loft insulation top-up
• Floor insulation
• External solid wall insulation
• Internal solid wall insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Flat roof insulation
• Additional cavity wall insulation
• Additional external wall insulation
• Insulated doors
• Triple glazing
• Hot water tank and pipe insulation
• Room-in-roof insulation
• Air-tight membranes
• Draught-proofing
  

Heat Measures

• Heating controls and thermostatic radiator valves
• District and communal heating
• Air source heat pump
• Ground source heat pump
• Upgrade electric heating from storage heaters to high retention storage heaters
• Thermal batteries for water heating
• Water heat reclamation
• Solar thermal hot water
• Battery storage linked to photovoltaic panels

4.7 Where projects go ahead, landlords should consider installation of monitoring equipment to evaluate the actual performance of energy efficiency measures and encourage behaviour change.

4.8 There is a risk that insulation measures can unintentionally reduce domestic air quality and lead to significant future health problems for people and buildings. Therefore, while installation of monitoring equipment is not mandatory, the benefit of monitoring is that it allows landlords to see the impact of measures so that, if necessary, they can design in ventilation to projects. We also know that future heating systems are likely to require behaviour change by occupiers, and it is important that people get information in a form that influences their behaviour by allowing them to see the impact of how they live. For this reason, CO₂ monitors are now required in new builds.^[10] By anticipating future problems the cost of monitoring equipment is likely to be outweighed by future savings. However, while there are definite advantages to having monitoring equipment, it is a question of judgement for the landlord when and if they are installed. As the main purpose is to see how insulation measures change air quality, this would only be relevant if monitoring equipment is installed before installation of insulation and new heating.

4.9 Where heating systems need to be converted, changed, or upgraded during the review period, landlords should prioritise the installation of clean heating technologies e.g. heat pump or connection to a heat network.