Action is needed to make it easier for consumers to install low carbon technologies in their homes.
The recommendation from Consumer Scotland follows research which identified a range of barriers to fitting low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels.
The research, conducted by Changeworks, included online interviews with 24 individuals living in Scotland who had installed a heat pump, solar panels or both.
The main issues identified were:
- upfront cost remains high and can prevent consumers from installing heat pumps
- myths, misconceptions and misinformation about the effectiveness of low carbon technology can be off putting
- disruption associated with installing a heat pump is considered by some consumers as a reason not to proceed
Consumer Scotland has highlighted a number of actions to improve the take-up of low carbon technologies including:
- more support for consumers to access available funding to help overcome the higher upfront cost of purchasing a heat pump
- improved signposting to trusted sources of impartial and easy to understand information such as Home Energy Scotland
- raised awareness of how low carbon technologies can help provide long term energy security and better protection from volatile, high-cost fuel and energy prices
- easier ways to find reliable and trusted heat pump installers
The Scottish Government has a statutory obligation to reduce the net emission of designated greenhouse gasses in Scotland to zero by the end of 2045.
Consumer Scotland Head of Energy Transition Alistair Hill said:
“Heating, ventilating, and cooling Scotland’s buildings currently accounts for almost a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland each year.
“To achieve change, consumers across Scotland will need to adopt low carbon technologies to heat their homes and improve their energy efficiency.
“Heat pumps and solar panels are two of the technologies that are likely to play an important role in the journey to decarbonise Scotland’s homes, but our research has shown there are still significant barriers.
“A number of actions could improve take-up including targeted financial support, easier access to trusted sources of information and greater awareness of the benefits of low carbon technologies.”
Background
Heat in Buildings - supporting the rollout of heat pumps and solar PV in Scotland
Consumer Scotland commissioned Changeworks to conduct the research which included 24 interviews online with participants in Scotland, all of whom had installed a heat pump, solar panels or both.
Consumer Scotland is investigating consumer protections in the market for energy efficiency and low carbon heating products including whether consumers have access to high quality and accessible sources of advice and information, strong consumer protections, fair and affordable consumer incentives and competitive and clear product choices. The investigation report will be published shortly.
Consumer Scotland has published a new toolkit for government and regulators to support them in tackling climate change from a consumer perspective.
Consumer Scotland is the statutory body for consumers in Scotland.