1. Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH)
Jonathan Grant
Scottish Government

2. What is the EESSH?
The EESSH sets the minimum energy efficiency standard for social housing.
It has been developed by the Scottish Government following wide consultation including with social landlords and tenants.
It will be monitored by the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR).
Landlords must ensure that all social housing meets this new standard by December 2020.

3. Why do we need the EESSH?
The Scottish Government recognises that all tenants want to live in good quality, warm, low carbon homes - Improved energy efficiency has a major part to play in achieving this goal.
The EESSH is part of the Sustainable Housing Strategy published earlier this year. This also includes proposals for minimum energy efficiency standards in private sector houses, helps to meet Scotland’s Climate Change targets and helps protect tenants from the impacts of fuel poverty.

4. How does the EESSH work?
The new standard is based on minimum energy efficiency (EE) ratings.
These are found on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
The standard does not require landlords to install all the measures included on an EPC.

5. EPC energy efficiency ratings

6. Ratings for social housing
The EESSH energy efficiency ratings which social homes will be expected to meet will depend on:
The type of fuel you use to heat your home and;
The type of property that you live in.

7. Ratings EESSH minimum ratings for 2020 EE Rating (SAP 2009)
EE Rating (SAP 2009)
Dwelling type
Gas
Electric
Flats 69 65
Four-in-a-block
Houses (non-detached)
Detached 60
Other fuels – SHQS requirements.

8. How will tenants benefit from the EESSH?
EESSH should help make your home warmer and make heating your home more affordable.
Estimates suggest that this could mean a reduction in energy costs for tenants across Scotland in the region of £127m each year.
It will also mean less CO2 emissions.

9. What energy efficiency measures could be installed?
Landlords are able to choose which measures are best for their circumstances. Possible measures include:
Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation
Triple / double / secondary glazing
External wall insulation
Heating controls
Storage heaters
Floor insulation
Compact fluorescent lighting – per bulb
Condensing boilers

10. Example Case study D-11G: Post war semi-detached (84m2) Fuel type: Gas
Baseline annual fuel costs: £1,512
Measures (SHQS & EESSH)
Walls Cavity fill (£500)
Roof mm at joists (£283)
Full central heating Condensing combi (£2,500)
Time and temp zone controls (£300)
Low energy lighting 100% (£15)
SAP C (70)
Fuel saving (on baseline) £863 pa

11. How will the EESSH be paid for?
Social housing sector estimated 64% compliant after SHQS so around 1/3 of stock needs more work.
A wide range of funding is available for landlords to help to pay for energy efficiency measures to meet the EESSH.
This includes Scottish Government funded schemes and funding from energy companies.
It is at the discretion of social landlords to determine how they will fund EESSH.

12. What does my landlord need to do now?
Work out which stock requires investment and when this should occur.
Keep tenants informed and involved.

13. What do I need to do now?
It is important that you support your landlord’s efforts to improve your home. This may mean a short period of inconvenience to you if your landlord needs to do any work to your home.
Your landlord should contact you before any action is taken to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
You may also already have an EPC and this can be a good place to start to understand whether your home meets the standard and what work may be needed for your home.

14. Further information
The EESSH website:
a guide for tenants,
common questions answered,
examples of case study properties, available measures and funding sources,
implementation guidance,
regulation information.

15. Questions for groups
What do you think are the main benefits of the EESSH for tenants?
What do you think are the challenges for your landlord in delivering the EESSH?
Is there anything else that the Scottish Government could do to help tenants in making homes more energy efficient?