Rural and off-gas challenges and opportunities Victoria Eynon

Fuel poverty and rurality Rurality Number of households in fuel poverty (thousands) Total number of households (thousands) % of households in this group that are in fuel poverty % of all fuel poor households that are in this group Urban 2,691 17, %76.1% Rural - town and fringe 326 2, %9.2% Rural - villages, hamlets and isolated dwellings 520 2, %14.7% Total 3,536 21, %100.0% Fuel poverty 2010 detailed tables, DECC

SAP, energy effciency and fuel poverty Source: DECC, National Statistics, Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics, 2012 ‘The properties with the lowest SAP ratings tend to be more rural…’

FREE programme “FREE aims to help individual households focus on reducing their energy consumption and encourage local communities to work together to promote best practice in energy efficiency and carbon reduction, with the overall aim of reducing levels of fuel poverty in off-grid areas.”

1. Mentoring Working with the RCC network Over 30 years of expertise to share Speaking Developing resources End of the line….

2. Energy Champions Convey expertise through energy champions networks Frontline staff Awareness raising and mentoring

3. Village Energy Audits Aims: To test a village energy audit approach and help increase uptake of energy efficiency in rural areas. How: Undertake village-wide questionnaires, individual home surveys, village hall survey. Model and report village-wide energy saving potential. Promote take- up of advice and measures. Outcomes: Increased understanding among residents, agencies and Government of energy needs and aspirations of 8 villages, particularly among PG and SPG. Increased take- up of energy efficiency measures? Experience of village audit and desire to improve and repeat.

VEA findings - insulation Solid Wall – 203 opportunities potentially exist (96 are CERT priority group eligible) Cavity Wall Insulation – 36 opportunities potentially exist (21 are CERT priority group eligible) Loft Insulation – 57 opportunities exist for measures (31 are CERT priority group eligible) Loft Insulation Top-Up – 127 opportunities potentially exist for measures (where LI <100mm) (60 of these are CERT priority group eligible

Fuel use Oil is the primary fuel used Of 204 households using oil, 24 are in a bulk-buying group Of 401 households, 229 would consider renewable technologies if replacing heating/ hot water systems – let’s get the information to them High incidence of multiple fuel types

‘Now that the summer is over, we will try as a village hall to set up some way of keeping folk informed. As a result of the committee providing a soup & cake lunch, a member suggested we ran such lunches on a monthly basis, which we have done since December. These are proving very popular and a number of people who work from home come to enjoy the social occasion. In fact, it has drawn folk in who don't normally attend village hall events - so quite a lot of good has come from your day in the hall in more ways than 1!’

Stark difference between more and less affluent residents Low employment, high transport costs, and protected land all impact on people’s ability to keep warm RdSAP and EPC training struggles with complex building types Collecting and using wood is valued as a lifestyle choice and as cheap sources of fuel As demand for wood rises, the price is rising VEA findings – painting the picture

The price of oil and concern for the environment are strong drivers for the uptake of renewables Choosing not to engage with the ‘Big 6’ Aesthetic of stone homes valued but financial need prioritised by some households Regional differences exist e.g. damp in the north west and concern about radon in the south west

“Fuel poverty remains a serious national problem and the Coalition is absolutely committed to tacking it”

Key messages There is outstanding work to do in rural areas Work hard to find people who need it most Work together to find people who need help most Use the FREE village audit methodology if appropriate