Housing and energy conservation
The reduction of carbon emissions from residential homes, both new build and existing properties, is a key focus in addressing the challenge of climate change. Residential homes represent 14 per cent of emissions (Committee on Climate Change 2019) of which the majority is from space heating.
To help reduce domestic carbon emissions we will promote retrofitting of insulation measures and efficient heating. We will also support the decarbonisation of energy supply through low carbon electricity for example photovoltaic panels and retrofitting of low carbon heating systems. For new build housing energy conservation requirements are dealt with under building regulations.
Our focus is to improve existing housing condition ensuring homes are safe and warm by encouraging and supporting the installation of both energy conservation and efficiency measures. Our private sector housing work directly links with sustainability objectives. We will adopt a whole house approach considering energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy options. There are also additional benefits to residents improving their homes, including reduced energy consumption and therefore lower bills, improved thermal comfort and improved wellbeing.
Home energy efficiency work is delivered through a combination of advice, marketing and promotion, energy efficiency schemes, financial assistance and signposting to funded or discounted measures where available in partnership with other agencies.