Rural and off-gas challenges and opportunities

Victoria Eynon

Fuel poverty and rurality

Rurality

Number of households in fuel poverty (thousands)

Total number of

households (thousands)

% of households in

this group that are in

fuel poverty

% of all fuel poor

households that are in this group

Urban 2,691

17,414 15.5% 76.1%

Rural - town and fringe 326

2,033 16.0% 9.2%

Rural - villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings

520

2,152 24.1% 14.7%

Total 3,536

21,600 16.4% 100.0%

Fuel poverty 2010 detailed tables, DECC

SAP, energy effciency and fuel poverty

Source: DECC, National Statistics, Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics, 2012

‘The properties with the lowest SAP ratings tend to be more rural…’

FREE programme

“FREE aims to help individual households focus on

reducing their energy consumption and encourage local

communities to work together to promote best practice

in energy efficiency and carbon reduction, with the

overall aim of reducing levels of fuel poverty in off-grid

areas.”

1. Mentoring

• Working with the RCC network• Over 30 years of expertise to share• Speaking• Developing resources• End of the line….

2. Energy Champions

• Convey expertise through energy champions networks

• Frontline staff• Awareness raising and mentoring

3. Village Energy Audits

Aims: To test a village energy audit approach and help increase uptake of energy efficiency in rural areas.

How: Undertake village-wide questionnaires, individual home surveys, village hall survey. Model and report village-wide energy saving potential. Promote take- up

of advice and measures.

Outcomes: Increased understanding among residents, agencies and Government of energy needs and aspirations of 8 villages, particularly among PG and SPG. Increased take-up of energy efficiency measures? Experience of village

audit and desire to improve and repeat.

VEA findings - insulation

Solid Wall – 203 opportunities potentially exist (96 are CERT priority group eligible)

Cavity Wall Insulation – 36 opportunities potentially exist (21 are CERT priority group eligible)

Loft Insulation – 57 opportunities exist for measures (31 are CERT priority group eligible)

Loft Insulation Top-Up – 127 opportunities potentially exist for measures (where LI <100mm) (60 of these are CERT priority group eligible

Fuel use

Oil is the primary fuel used

Of 204 households using oil, 24 are in a bulk-buying group

Of 401 households, 229 would consider renewable technologies if replacing heating/ hot water systems – let’s get

the information to them

High incidence of multiple fuel types

‘Now that the summer is over, we will try as a village hall to set up some way of keeping folk informed. As a result of the committee providing a soup & cake lunch, a member suggested we ran such lunches on a monthly basis, which we have done since December. These are proving very popular and a number of people who work from home come to enjoy the social occasion. In fact, it has drawn folk in who don't normally attend village hall events - so quite a lot of good has come from your day in the hall in more ways than 1!’

Stark difference between more and less affluent residents

Low employment, high transport costs, and protected land all impact on people’s ability to keep warm

RdSAP and EPC training struggles with complex building types

Collecting and using wood is valued as a lifestyle choice and as cheap sources of fuel

As demand for wood rises, the price is rising

VEA findings – painting the picture

VEA findings – painting the picture

The price of oil and concern for the environment are strong drivers for the uptake of renewables

Choosing not to engage with the ‘Big 6’ Aesthetic of stone homes valued but

financial need prioritised by some households

Regional differences exist e.g. damp in the north west and concern about radon in the south west

“Fuel poverty remains a serious

national problem and the Coalition is

absolutely committed to tacking

it”

Key messages

• There is outstanding work to do in rural areas

• Work hard to find people who need it most

• Work together to find people who need help most

• Use the FREE village audit methodology if appropriate