Question reference: S6W-19608
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 30 June 2023
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Current status: Answered by Patrick Harvie on 28 July 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has made an assessment of the number of properties that will no longer be eligible for support through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan and Private Rented Sector Landlord Loan schemes for solar PV and/or energy storage systems because they are unable to have a heat pump or high heat retention storage heaters.
Answer
On behalf of the Scottish Government, Element Energy previously conducted analysis of the technical suitability of low-carbon heating technologies in Scottish domestic buildings. A copy of this report is available below.
Scottish Government (2020). Technical Feasibility of Low Carbon Heating in Domestic Buildings. URL: https://www.gov.scot/publications/technical-feasibility-low-carbon-heating-domestic-buildings-report-scottish-governments-directorate-energy-climate-change/
Low TemperatureAir Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are deemed to be technically suitable for around 55 – 76% of homes currently existing in Scotland. If homes were to adopt measures to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C where technically feasible and cost-effective, then this share would increase to 75 – 77%.
The report also shows that electric storage heaters are found to be suitable for 82-100% of homes before energy efficiency measures are installed, and 95-100% after.
The HES Grant and Loan scheme also provides support for energy efficiency measures, which increases the number of homes able to install a zero direct emissions heating system. This includes grant funding of up to 75% of the combined costs of measures up to a maximum £7,500 is available, with an additional £7,500 of funding available as an interest free loan.