77% of respondents in the West of Scotland would consider a green mortgage to improve the energy efficiency of their home
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Tue 1 Oct) published the results of a public survey on the retrofit of traditional buildings, with almost 8 in 10 people in the West of Scotland supportive of green mortgages which include specific incentives for retrofitting. Heating buildings currently accounts for around 30% of the UK’s emissions.
In Scotland, traditional buildings – those constructed before 1919 - make up a significant proportion of overall building stock, including approximately one in five (18%) homes. Improving the energy efficiency of these buildings through retrofit will be crucial for achieving national net zero targets.
The survey found that for respondents in the West of Scotland, the biggest perceived barriers to retrofit are capital cost (45%), access to capital funding (37%) and planning permission (26%). 45% of people in West Scotland said they would be put off purchasing a traditional property due to these perceived barriers.
However, the results of the research suggest that increased support would encourage retrofit. 77% of those surveyed in the West of Scotland said they would consider a green mortgage which includes specific incentives for retrofitting, including lower interest loans that are repayable through energy savings. Other measures such as green home grants (46%) or specific tax exemptions for works to listed buildings (37%) would also make respondents more likely to consider retrofitting a traditional property.
When asked why they would consider retrofitting their home or investment property, the most popular response – selected by over half (52%) of respondents in the West of Scotland – was that it would save them money in the long run. 44% of respondents also said they thought retrofit would increase the value of their property, making it a good investment.
Commenting on the survey results, Dr David Mitchell, Director of Cultural Assets at HES, said:
“Retrofit of our traditional buildings can bring many wider benefits if done properly to protect the special character of these buildings that give local places their unique identities. There are also huge potential economic benefits and new employment opportunities to be realised through ensuring our existing building stock is in a good state of repair and that retrofit measures are technically sound and effective. We have over 4000 years of traditional building experience in Scotland – our heritage and traditions are integral to our future success.
“The results of this survey show that while there is some concern regarding the perceived barriers to retrofitting traditional properties, people care about increasing the energy efficiency of these buildings and understand the importance of doing so in order to meet national net zero targets.”
The results of the survey come as HES announced its plans for a new national centre for the retrofit of traditional buildings. The Retrofit lab will put heritage science and research at the heart of its approach to developing best practice for the retrofit of traditional buildings. As well as expanding HES’s technical research capabilities, the centre will focus on delivery of much-needed training and foster innovation in the use of low-carbon retrofit materials. The Retrofit lab is part of the Research Infrastructure for Conservation and Heritage Science (RICHeS) programme, funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council through the UKRI Infrastructure Fund.
To learn more about why #HeritageMatters for net zero, as well as hints and tips for making your home more energy efficient, visit the HES website and Engine Shed website.