Home Energy Conservation Act Report of Stratford on Avon District Council

Transcription

1 Introduction Home Energy Conservation Act Report of Stratford on Avon District Council Sitting in a pleasant shade Which a grove of myrtles made, Beasts did leap, and birds did sing, Trees did grow, and plants did spring (From the Passionate Pilgrim. William Shakespeare) The land that inspired Shakespeare, inspires us. Stratford-on-Avon District Council has a long standing commitment to the environment, and is pleased to relay some of the things we are doing to protect an iconic area of England and promote the best interests of the Residents that live here. The Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) gives Local Authorities a responsibility to measure the energy performance in their area, and is it one we take seriously. Long Standing Commitment The Council has been committed to this process for a long time. Stratford-on-Avon District Council was a founding influence in the establishment of the local energy advice centre, which is now known as Act on Energy. This demonstrated our commitment to the improvement of environmental performance for all of our residents, and it is a commitment which remains strong today: some of our Councillors still act as Trustees. The Council achieved the Environmental Management and Audit Scheme accreditation, showing a whole authority commitment to improvement in environmental issues for us an Authority. We were the fourth local authority to gain the accreditation, and the first to retain it. We no longer hold that accreditation preferring to use the resources required to directly benefit residents. Long Standing Issues The local area is generally regarded as wealthy, but throughout our 374 square miles, many issues exist:- 31% of our district is off-gas making heating costs very high. We have a large number of park home properties which have not been able to benefit from insulation initiatives. The picturesque nature of much of the area s properties mask the fact that they fall under the category of hard to treat. Background Information The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change requires local authorities in England to provide an update report every two years setting out the energy conservation measures that the authority considers practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in significant improvement in the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in the area. Our initial report published in March 2013 set out how we intended to help householders take advantage of financial incentives such as the Green Deal, Energy Company Obligation (ECO), Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), Feed in Tariff (FIT) and any other schemes that become available. We will continue to encourage householders to take advantage of appropriate government and other national initiatives. We will also encourage residents to be involved in local projects that support improved energy efficiency that will benefit themselves, their communities and wider society. 1

2 Overview Since HECA was first introduced in 1995, Stratford-on-Avon District Council took on the challenge of improving household energy efficiency seriously and achieved the targeted saving of almost 31% by the 12th annual report. This was achieved by promotion plus advice to households and the practical measures of insulation as well as heating improvements including renewable energy technology. This success was the result of working together with communities, local contractors, energy suppliers and various local and national agencies. One limitation we have is that the Council does not have its own housing stock but we meet regularly with social landlords in the District area to encourage them to invest in their stock. We also regularly promote energy efficiency issues including the Green Deal to the Private Landlords Forum. We gain support by sharing experiences with neighbouring local authorities - and then replicate successful actions in a way that suits our own communities. We also actively engaged with local insulation installers and supporting residents to access funding from energy suppliers when they were obligated to fund energy efficiency. With the introduction of Green Deal in the Energy Act 2010, and the further energy supplier obligations under ECO, the Council has supported Act on Energy to create a referral network to local contractors who can access ECO and Green Deal Providers who can provide Green Deal measures backed by Green Deal finance. This network will continue into the future to make the installation of appropriate improvement measures as seamless and cost effective as possible. The Council does not have the resources to employ a full time HECA Officer currently the appointed officer shares this role with other duties. To fulfil the requirements of HECA, our officer is supported through a service level agreement with Act on Energy to provide a free local energy saving advice service and helpline for householders. This is the most cost effective way of planning and delivering local projects, as this service is shared with 10 other local authorities in the area. Act on Energy are also fully up to date with developments in this fast changing environment. The Council also benefits from a regular briefing alongside our partner authorities where more sharing of best practice takes place and are given information updates. Our partnership with Act on Energy is not just a telephone service we ensure residents have the opportunity for personal contact at local community events throughout the district. Save money and the environment Warm and Well in Warwickshire The Council is also part of a wider Warwickshire based scheme funded through Public Health Warwickshire called Warm and Well in Warwickshire. This provides a number of special services for those in particular need and those most likely to suffer from fuel poverty and the adverse health conditions caused. The scheme provides:- help and advice, practical support such as emergency heaters, boiler servicing and breakdown cover, additional support for loft and cavity wall insulation, benefit checks to maximise income and practical services from local agencies including home visits, snow clearing, shopping and transport. 2

3 The scheme is co-ordinated by Act on Energy and utilises the services of agencies across the county. Residents of Stratford-on-Avon District share in a web based resource developed from a previous Green Deal Communities project Energy Saving Homes ( This provides property specific advice and costs (using a SAP calculation engine) on energy improvement measures, with local case studies and details of locally based contractors. The Council recognised from the outset that considerable effort was needed to turn around our energy consuming behaviour to become more sustainable. The Council has made important progress towards our ultimate goal of achieving a significant reduction in energy use throughout residential accommodation across the district through the promotion of a number of events. We are concerned about the social and environmental impacts of a business as usual approach to energy use, if nothing changes. Many towns and village communities in our area have already suffered from the sort of extreme weather events which are predicted and seem already to be more frequent and more extreme. This has had a major impact on many of our local industries, particularly agriculture and tourism, and we are determined to do what is needed to minimise these climatic changes. Adverse social impacts associated with energy costs also seem to be growing. The incidence of fuel poverty is rising, even in areas previously perceived as being affluent. Excess winter deaths are likely to be joined by excess summer deaths if we experience the summer temperature rises predicted. We and our community will strive to limit these impacts by working with neighbours and partners to put in place the measures needed to make a difference. he delivers our offices and what we have to do to the direction just. Macbeth. III, 3 Setting a direction Our District has a proportion of older homes that leak heat. This means that many people use more energy than residents in newer properties to reach a reasonable living temperature. Many of these properties contribute to the visual amenity of the area, but need sympathetic help and guidance to make them useful not just for the current occupants but for further generations to come. We also need to make homes that may be affordable at the moment remain affordable when energy prices rise, as they inevitably will. Most of the solutions are already available and our role will be to continue to make our householders aware of these through local advice and local examples. Our vision is that Stratford-on-Avon District, through the leadership a Council engaged fully with national and local initiatives, will ensure that our residents and local businesses prosper by taking advantage of all that is available to support them. Our Corporate Strategy for this period made the following commitments: AIM 1 Addressing Local Housing Need. 1. We will promote investment in the existing stock of housing to reduce the high cost of heating experienced in many existing properties. AIM 4 Minimising the impact of Climate Change 1. We will promote the renewable energy generation and improved energy efficiency for all types of buildings 2. We will reduce the Council s energy consumption Our Housing Strategy further articulates these ambitions, which includes providing grant assistance, advice and support and promotional activities. This Council has an enviable record of achievement in delivering energy efficiency programmes, including being one of only a hand full in the country to set up and continue to support a local organisation dedicated to energy efficiency, to achieve the targets set both internally and by central government. It is our intention to continue in the same vein with this follow on requirement under the Home Energy Conservation Act. 3

4 A commitment to partnership working Therefore let our alliance be combined, Our best friends made, our means stretch'd And let us presently go sit in council, How covert matters may be best disclosed, And open peril surest answered. [Julius Caesar IV, 1]. The Council works in Partnership with a range of agencies. Just as there are many contributory factors that cause fuel poverty, so there are many contributors to the solution. We went door to door in Shipston-on-Stour, in the south of our District. We asked questions on a range of issues, but centred on energy efficiency. Streets were targeted through information gathered from our deprivation mapping system. The agencies then offered follow-up support and information. We have found this approach to be of far more effective than the traditional model of hiring a village hall and hoping people will attend. The following agencies provided support for the project: NHS Warwickshire Stratford-on-Avon District Council Warwickshire County Council Act on Energy Shipston Town Council Voluntary Action Stratford CAB Medical Centre Warwickshire Police Age UK Transition Shipston Stour Enterprise Centre Everyone Active Orbit Housing Association Warwickshire Fire and Rescue As a result of the project: 14 affordable warmth (insulation) referrals. 3 volunteers joined Voluntary Action Stratford 8 housing association referrals were made on previously unknown need. 2 Applications made for a disability grant 6 people made a complementary first visit to the Leisure Centre Such was the success of this project, we repeated the exercise in Studley, which is in the north-west of our District. 4 affordable warmth (insulation) referrals to Act on Energy 2 housing association referrals were made on previously unreported disrepair issues. 2 Applications made for a disabled facility grant 6 referrals to the Medical Centre A further such project is expected in 2015 which will be undertaken in the east of the District. The Council leads the local South Warwickshire Affordable Warmth Action Group. This ensures that synergies of partnership working are not just limited to ad-hoc projects but also ensures ongoing communication and co-operation. 4

5 This group feeds in to the Warm and Well in Warwickshire Partnership. This group is chaired by a senior leader from the NHS Warwickshire, and has representatives from all the local authorities and partner agencies to ensure that cost efficiencies are achieved, as well as sharing best practice. Act on Energy Together We are proud of this project. Switching energy suppliers is not only Government Policy, but it is also something that we are passionate about as it will save our residents money. However, this relies almost exclusively on the ability to access the internet, and some of our residents are unable to do so. This project means that Act on Energy will look on-line for lower tariffs on behalf of the resident, and then send them the information they need in order to be able to switch energy suppliers. (Consumer Protection Laws prevent us from switching on behalf of customers). Oil Syndicates As outlined earlier, a large part of our area is not served by the mains gas network. In order to address the high cost of heating, the Council sought to help communities by providing assistance. We called a meeting to share best practice on the subject of oil syndicates, and it was clear that a number of communities wanted the cost savings that co-ordinated action would bring, but lacked the organising ability to deliver such a scheme. Along with Warwickshire Rural Community Council, we provided a framework that a number of communities have accessed. Projects that have been delivered We have encouraged residents to generate their own electricity, and have practiced what we have preached by installing installed solar panels on our own offices too. The roof at the Council Offices Public display monitor in Reception Residential PV We have worked alongside one of our social housing provider to deliver external wall insulation. At the last minute, they informed us that it would not be possible to use their installer, so through Act on Energy, we found another supplier and are now working with owner-occupiers to enable all willing owners to be able to access the same measure. We had hoped that funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change would have made this offer more attractive to owner-occupiers. 5

6 Owner occupied property now being clad because of Council support A property externally clad next to a property which would benefit from the same measure. What has this achieved? Reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions In 2012, Stratford district residents consumed an average of 985GWh (gigawatt hours) of energy 1, with gas accounting for 54% of the total, 28% electricity, 16% oil. This is a slight increase in energy consumption since the previous 2011 data set showing domestic energy consumption at 978GWh. The council has not set a specific target but will seek to reduce consumption by 10% on 2009 levels by Based on the 2009 data of 1031GWh this equates to a 5% reduction to date. Each year, DECC publishes CO 2 emissions estimates for all local authority areas. In 2012, an average of 9.9 tonnes of CO 2 was emitted per person in Stratford district. Domestic emissions (see below) accounted for 26% of the total emissions. Year Domestic emissions (ktco 2 ) Emissions per capita (tonnes) % reduction since % Although CO 2 emissions in the domestic sector have reduced slightly since 2010, the total emissions per capita are still greater than the regional and national averages and the Warwickshire average of 7.1 tco2. This is not surprising considering the large numbers of rural, older homes and homes off the mains gas network in the district. We will continue to support schemes that promote and install energy saving measures in homes and particularly engage with energy suppliers delivering ECO support under the Rural Obligation. (source DECC) 1 Based on 2012 sub-national electricity and gas consumption statistics. 6

7 What we will do next Our Housing Strategy will see us:- Proactively identify poor rented accommodated and improve thermal comfort Re-submit a funding bid to DECC to support the off-gas community Work with Parishes to improve the knowledge of, and take up of, energy efficiency. Identify what help is available to extend the gas network Work at Park Home sites to improve thermal comfort Work with Trading Standards to try and eliminate properties rated as band F and band G. Our HECA Action Plan includes the following, supported by individual action plans for carbon reduction, sustainability and affordable warmth Activity Purpose Timing Information and advice Training for staff/partners/other agencies in Annual energy efficiency and information/advice for realistic improvement options for saving energy householders. Promotion Use all available methods to On going promote/support local energy saving initiatives and signpost to relevant local agencies for further advice. Measures Identify local contractors/installers of On going energy saving improvement measures for referrals from households. Develop/support/fund local projects for the installation of measures. Grants, subsidies and loans Ensure local access to Green Deal and ECO finance and other national and local funding As appropriate and provide additional support for vulnerable households. Fuel poverty Engage with other agencies to identify and On going support vulnerable households to access additional support and carryout improvement measures that improve their ability to afford heating to aid their health and wellbeing Data/reporting Collate relevant data to assess reduction in energy/co2/fuel poverty Bi-annual The Appendices give further detailed information which will be informing future actions. 1. Energy efficiency of dwellings in our area 2. Renewable energy production in our area 3. Energy Performance Certificate information 4. Fuel Poverty Information 5. Summary report of Act on Energy activity on behalf of Stratford District Council. 7

8 Appendix 1 Energy Efficiency (data source- live tables for EPCs) Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)provide a measure of a home s energy efficiency as a cost index and are required when properties are sold or rented and also when the Feed in Tariff, Renewable Heat Incentive or a Green Deal loan is required. An average home is considered reasonably efficient and will be represented as band D with less efficient homes in band E, F and G. Domestic EPC band- average to date 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Stratford Warwickshire England A B C D E F G Based on all EPCs recorded to date in Stratford, there are a greater proportion of the higher efficiency band C properties than the Warwickshire average. There are also fewer properties in the less energy efficient band of E but more than the Warwickshire average in bands F and G possibly due to the rural nature of the district. Average EPC band change since previous report 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% A B C2015 DReport E 2013 F Report G Over the last 2 years since the previous report was published, the data indicates that the proportion of homes in the least energy efficient bands E, F and G has reduced with a big increase in the proportion of the more efficient band D and band B properties. 8

9 Environmental Impact EPCs also provide an Environmental Index (EI) to indicate the impact a home has on the environment. Band D is considered average with bands E, F and G having a greater adverse impact. Domestic EPC band- Average EI to date 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% A B Stratford C D Warwickshire E F G England In terms of the environment, there are more homes in Stratford in the worst categories of band F and G and more homes in the better band C compared with the England and Warwickshire average. Average EI change since previous report 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% A B C 2015 DReport E 2013 F Report G There has also been a further reduction since the previous report in homes in the F and G bands and an increase in band B and D homes. (Data source:- DCLG Dec 2014) 9

10 Appendix 2 Renewable Energy Generation (data source- ) The government introduced a Feed in Tariff (FIT) scheme in 2010 to encourage an increase in locally generated electricity. This has recently been extended to renewable heat generation through the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). Technology Domestic Installations Commercial Installations Industrial Installations Community Installations Total Total Installed Capacity (MW) Micro CHP Photovoltaic Wind Total Installations Total installations in Stratford Jan 2010-Dec 2014 (Source- Ofgem) Since the previous HECA report there have been 437 domestic, 16 commercial and 7 industrial installations with a total installed capacity of 2.05MW. The West Midlands total renewable energy generation claiming FITs is MW with Stratford providing 3.6% which is included within Warwickshire s 11.5%. 10

11 Appendix 3 Energy Performance Certificate data (Data sourced from Landmark- EPC large data pack) Stratford on Avon, in partnership with the other districts in Warwickshire, has obtained the large data set for EPCs produced since the last report, to assess the characteristics of homes in the area. Although this may not be a representative sample it nevertheless provides a useful insight into the opportunities remaining for energy efficiency improvements. Transaction Type 40% 35% 30% 37% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 6% 9% 6% 3% 2% 0% All Sales Social rent Private rent Green Deal New build FIT The EPCs carried out since the last report was published state the reasons they were produced, with over a third needed for private house sales. 15% were for all new rentals with 50% more private than social rentals, possibly because the private housing market in generally increasing. The EPCs for Green Deal represent just 3% of the total and the follow-up EPC, required after a Green Deal installation, is just a third. This suggests that the majority of GD Assessments don t result in a Green Deal installation. Potential Improvements Average Characteristics Number of EPCs asessed 3558 current potential Energy Efficiency band D B Environmental Index band D C % change SAP rating % Environmental Impact % Energy consumption % CO2 emissions (tonnes) % Heating cost ( ) % Hot Water cost ( ) % Lighting cost ( ) % Total energy cost ( ) % 11

12 The table gives the average results from the sample of 3,558 EPCs. This adds detail to the information available on the DCLG website with the average SAP rating being 62 in band D. It also indicates that with improvements would it increase to SAP81 in band B, and shows that the energy consumption and CO2 emissions could be reduced by around 50% with a consequent reduction in energy cost of 32%. This suggests there is still significant opportunity to improve homes based on the current sample. The major benefit of EPC data collected by qualified energy surveyors is the anticipated accuracy of the result and will be considerably more reliable that householder completed postal surveys as was used for HECA1. The following is an analysis of the most likely improvements to make a significant difference. External Wall options Wall type 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 74.7% 19.8% Cavity Solid brick Timber frame 3.3% 2.0% 0.2% System Stone The sample shows that nearly 75% of homes have cavity walls and more than a quarter of these are uninsulated. Whilst not all cavity walls can be improved by cavity fill, a significant number can and this will be a target for local promotion supported by ECO where available. With over a quarter of homes having solid walls, insulation methods for these are much more expensive but very effective. Over 90% of solid wall homes are shown as uninsulated. This would be a popular improvement is sufficient resources were available to make it affordable. This is shown by the demand for the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund (GDHIF). A much bigger funding pot needs to be made available to satisfy demand, preferably allocated through each local authority, to ensure a fair distribution. Roof Insulation Options The other main areas for thermal improvement are roofs. In the sample, 95% of roofs are pitched with lofts, 4% have rooms in the roof space, and 1% have a flat roof. Whilst flat roofs are best insulated when the waterproof covering is renewed, some roof spaces pose a particular problem with a lack of access. However the bulk of roofs have a loft and half of these have 100mm or less insulation. These roofs would benefit from additional insulation, especially the 8% that have no insulation at all. This has to be an area for increased promotion to assist those who use their lofts for storage to and help clear them for insulation to be added, even if this means providing raised platforms. The benefit of increasing the thickness of loft insulation where 150mm or more is present is limited and funds may be better devoted to other energy saving measures. 12

13 Loft insulation 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 8% 21% 5% 3% 13% 10% 15% 19% 7% Some insulation measures are particularly expensive in terms of energy saving and that includes double glazing. The EPCs indicate that 98% of the homes surveyed already have part or all double glazing. This is a particularly desirable measure for households but the main reason is unlikely to be to save energy and it is likely that replacement will continue without additional promotion or support. Space Heating Options The greatest energy consumption in most homes is through space and water heating and high efficiency boilers make a significant difference to the heating costs. In Stratford district 85% of homes have a boiler system serving radiators or underfloor heating, 10% use electric storage heaters, 3% use room heaters and 2% use heat pumps. Also from the EPC data, 67% of homes use mains gas for space heating, 15% use electricity and 14 % oil with around 4% using LPG. This is a much lower proportion for mains gas than other areas, indicating the predominately rural nature of the district. Given that the life expectancy of a boiler is usually between 10 and 20 years and high efficiency replacement boilers have been required by the Building Regulations since 2005, most boilers will have been renewed without the need for further promotion. However, this is a reasonably expensive measure and will only normally be undertaken as a distress purchase when the old boiler fails. Financial support may be required for low income households and these will be assisted to access ECO or Green Deal funding. As well as requiring high efficiency replacement boilers, current Building Regulations also requires the heating system controls to be upgraded at the same time. The requirement is for time and temperature control of heating and hot water circuits, with bedrooms controlled separately from the rest of the house. 60% of homes with boilers already have the required controls and the remainder will need to upgrade when their boiler is renewed. Lighting Following on from the previous Energy Efficiency Commitment programme, where energy suppliers provided free compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) to many households and these were given away freely at many energy events in the community, most homes already use some low energy lights. This process achieved a high penetration of CFLs into homes despite the known issues of lower light output, slower response and the general dislike of the appearance of the bulbs. 13

14 EPCs also collect data on fixed lighting and 86% of the homes surveyed have some low energy lights fitted although only 15% had all low energy lights. This is a relatively low cost and particularly cost effective improvement and easy for the householder to implement The latest generation of low energy bulbs (LEDs) are even more efficient and long lasting with an appearance and characteristics similar to incandescent bulbs. The current cost of LED lighting will slow the change to this technology, but when the cost benefits are explained in terms of payback, they become more acceptable. 14

15 Appendix 4 Fuel Poverty (Data source- ) Traditionally, fuel poverty has been assumed to exist where a household needs to spend 10% or more of their income on energy. On this basis homes in fuel poverty in Stratford had reduced from a peak in 2009 of 24.8% to 17.1% in 2011, but more than the England average of 14.6%. In 2012 the definition was revised to consider a more complex model linking low income with a high household energy requirement. The latest government statistics are for 2012 and indicate that Stratford now has 12.4% homes in fuel poverty which is more than the England average of 10.4%, but significantly less than local comparisons of the West Midlands at 15.2% and slightly less than Warwickshire 12.5%. 15

16 Appendix 5 Act on Energy activity for Stratford on Avon DC Support Since the previous HECA Report in March 2013, the council has engaged Act on Energy to support residents in achieving energy efficiency improvements in their homes. This has resulted in the following activities being carried out in Stratford-on-Avon District and other actions that assist the council in delivering energy improvements. Support council for project planning Carry out events, training and presentations to community groups Assist in Green Deal and other events Hold advice sessions at Health Centres Provide a Freephone advice service for residents and referrals to Green Deal and ECO Carry out home visits to vulnerable households Supporting householders to switch energy supplier In addition, Act on Energy supports several other local authorities in the area through local, regional and national events including the following, which provides additional support to the council through:- A sub-regional HECA Consortium Group discussing energy issues and assessing local projects Feedback information from the Regional and National Carbon Action Network Representation at the regional Fuel Poverty Forum and Sustainable Housing Group Support through the European Covenant Capacity program Liaison with GD Providers and GD Installers/Energy Suppliers to access Green Deal and ECO Update on proposed energy related legislation and feedback on government consultations Advice to Households With ever increasing demands on the attention of householders, climate change and carbon dioxide emissions and sustainability rarely get a second thought. Households are anxious that they are comfortable, healthy and can pay the bills now, anything else is of little interest. Accepting this reality, energy efficiency must be promoted as the best way to achieve all these things now and in the longer term. Act on Energy has been engaging with households and communities for many years with information and advice that is relevant, makes sense to them and is affordable. Energy Supplier Switching A significant number of homes in the district have never switched supplier and are paying more than they need for their gas and electricity. Energy supplier switching can be an effective way of reducing energy bills but isn t easy if they don t have access to the internet. Residents of Stratford-on-Avon district who don t have internet access get support through a paper form distributed to various communities where Act on Energy do a comparison check based on the information provided by the householder. The comparison results are printed and posted to the householder with the contact details for the supplier with the cheapest energy tariff for them. This project, called Act on Energy Together was funded by the Council and has identified the average energy saving that could be achieved for Stratford-on-Avon district residents by switching to the cheapest supplier or tariff is 208. From the records of almost 300 comparisons, the total potential saving has now reached almost 52,000. Other information collated shows that 25% of respondents say they have never switched and only 14% of comparisons gave one of the Big 6 as the cheapest. 16

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