Charity welcomes report on heating tenements

Age Scotland has welcomed the Consumer Futures report Communal Improvements, which looks at the issue of energy efficiency in Scottish tenements.
With evidence of energy price rises putting increased pressure on consumer expenditure, it is accepted that more needs to be done to improve the energy efficiency of our existing housing stock. However, the challenges presented from implementing measures on flatted properties mean that many existing schemes of support may not be accessed by residents.
Some of the unique challenges identified include the fact there is rarely a single universal approach for tenements, with each building having its own unique characteristics. Also, some homeowners have expressed concern about how they might go about securing agreement from neighbours to ensure that works can progress.
Age Scotland's Policy Officer, Greg McCracken, said: "This report is an important contribution to a complex debate. It confirms many points which our members have informally expressed to us about, for example, how consumers are increasingly less likely to believe that energy efficiency measures will reduce their fuel bills. Both the Westminster and Scottish governments would do well to carefully consider the content of the report and implications for carbon reduction strategies".
The report goes on to state that consumers are increasingly absorbing the cost of increasing energy bills and provides a range of recommendations on what consumers really need if we are to encourage and support uptake of measures. Effective information is at the heart of this, with clear options available and greater proof of the benefits of investing.
Download the report