Scottish energy use changes could ‘save millions’

SCOTTISH households could save £356 million by making simple changes to their energy use, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Installing solar panels is one such means of saving energy. Picture: PA

Around 594,000 tonnes of carbon emissions could be cut by minor improvements such as installing solar panels, switching to LED bulbs and switching appliances off rather than on standby, the organisation said.

Mike Thornton, director of Energy Saving Trust Scotland, said: “Our homes are in better shape than a decade ago. Millions of cavity walls have been insulated in recent years and virtually no totally uninsulated lofts remain.

“We’ve now got to address leaky homes through energy efficiency measures from lower cost draught excluders to higher cost wall insulation, encourage more people with suitable homes to invest in renewables and LED lighting and get people thinking about how, when and where they use energy.

“The bottom line is homeowners will benefit from improving their property’s energy performance.”

The organisation revealed new research showing nearly half of householders (44 per cent) say their homes have draught problems, 38 per cent experience condensation and 29 per cent have mould.

Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of people living in draughty homes plan to install energy efficiency upgrades in the next year, compared with 12 per cent overall.

The Ipsos MORI survey included more than 2,000 respondents throughout the UK, with 172 from Scotland.

Mr Thornton said: “The research shows that living in cold, draughty and damp homes is a big motivator for people to take action and that renewable technology is the thing that excites most.

“If UK households are considering making energy saving improvements to their home then now is the time to take action in preparation for the winter months and colder temperatures.”