Improving Energy Efficiency

Key Messages for Somerset

• According to the Census, the proportion of Somerset households with no central heating decreased from 9.1% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011. However, almost 8,000 homes remained without central heating
• The more rural areas such as on Exmoor and the Brendon and Blackmoor Hills are not only less likely to have central heating but also more likely to have oil rather than gas or electric heating.
• The South West has the highest proportion of energy-inefficient dwellings in England. In Somerset, one in six properties have a Category 1 Excess Cold Hazard, below the regional average but above the national average of 12%. The issue is particularly prevalent in West Somerset.  
• Private sector dwellings in Somerset are much more likely than the national average to have a low EPC rating (F or G) 
• One in seven dwellings in Somerset have a Category 1 hazard, again above the England average.

Energy Efficiency and Wellbeing Overview

Housing with poor energy efficiency can have a considerable negative impact on residents' health and wellbeing in various ways. For example, children living in cold homes are more than twice as likely as those living in warm homes to suffer from a variety of respiratory problems, including asthma. Mental health is also negatively affected by fuel poverty and cold housing for all age groups and existing conditions such as arthritis can be exacerbated.

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) produced a paper ‘Health Costs of Cold Dwellings’ (2011) outlining the link between poor energy efficiency and Excess Cold Hazard which in turn affects the health of residents. It also examines the potential costs to the NHS of not improving Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) of homes with Standard Assessment Process (SAP) ratings F and G.

There is a clear link between poor energy efficiency, fuel poverty and poor health. This is explored in more detail by the Marmot Review team's 2011 paper 'The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty'. A positive relationship between low thermal efficiency of housing and excess winter deaths exists.  A considerable number of excess winter deaths are attributable to cardio-vascular disease and respiratory diseases. A series of maps indicating local levels of excess winter deaths within each Somerset district are available here.

Heating in Somerset Homes

Central heating

At the time of the 2011 Census, almost 8,000 homes in Somerset were without central heating. However, since 2001, the proportion of all homes without central heating had fallen considerably from 9.1%  to 3.5%. However, the figure is more than 5% in West Somerset where fuel poverty is also relatively high (see our Fuel Poverty page).

Central Heating in Homes by District

 Source: Census 2011

Proportions of homes without central heating vary markedly across the county, from 1.0% in the West Monkton ward to 12% in Greater Exmoor and almost 10% in the Brendon Hills ward. The highest urban ward for lack of central heating is Bridgwater Fairfax (8.3%).

Those in Somerset who do have central heating are less likely than the average home in England to have gas heating, with a greater dependency on oil.

In West Somerset, only 45% of homes had gas central heating, while 22% had oil heating, more than five times the national average. A reliance on oil heating is not restricted to the remote hills; in parts of the Somerset Levels (including the wards of Curry Rivel, Neroche and King's Isle) almost 60% of homes have oil central heating. Solid fuels, such as coal and wood-burners, are used by almost 10% in the wards of Greater Exmoor, Brendon Hills and Ammerdown (NE Mendip district).

In 2015, West Somerset had the fourth highest rate of households with no access to mains gas of any local authority in England according to estimates produced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Energy Consumption

Latest estimates from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) demonstrate wide variations in household energy consumption across Somerset. Areas with the highest average electricity usage are predominantly rural. In 2013, overall mean domestic electricity consumption was 46% higher in Somerset’s villages and hamlets than in urban areas (5,554kWh per electricity meter compared to 3,812kWh per meter). Similarly, mean domestic gas consumption was around 39% higher in rural villages and hamlets than in urban areas of Somerset (15,452kWh per meter compared to 11,096kWh per meter). The full dataset is published at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/llsoa-electricity-and-gas-2013

Energy Efficiency and Hazardous Homes

The Government  uses the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) to assess and compare the energy and environmental performance of dwellings. Its purpose is to provide accurate and reliable assessments of dwelling energy performances that are needed to underpin energy and environmental policy initiatives. All buildings must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating based on measures of fuel efficiency raning from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).

23% of dwellings in Somerset had an EPC rating below 'E', well above the national average of 9%. In Sedgemoor and West Somerset, the proportion was above 30% (see below).

The 2004 Housing Act established that a dwelling, any associated outbuildings and outdoor amenity space should provide a safe and healthy environment for the occupants and any visitors to the dwelling. The dwelling should be free from hazards or when they are unavoidable, they should be made as safe as is reasonably practicable. The Government's Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assesses 29 categories of housing hazard, ranging from hygiene and temperature to structural or overcrowding and applies to both single dwellings and Houses in Multiple Occupation. The most hazardous are classed as Category 1.

In Somerset, one in seven dwellings have at least one Category 1 hazard, above the England norm of one in ten.

Improving Energy Efficiency in Somerset

During 2013, more than 1,900 loft and/or cavity wall jobs were completed on private dwellings across Somerset (see below):-

Green Deal

The Government's Green Deal scheme provides financial support for homeowners wanting to make energy-saving improvements, including insulation, heating, windows and products that generate energy, subject to an assessment. Up to 31st December 2013, almost 1,000 assessments had been lodged in Somerset (see below):

The rate per household is in line with the regional and national averages.

The Green Deal Cashback Scheme rewards Green Deal customers. Householders in England and Wales can claim Cashback from Government for energy saving improvements like insulation, front doors, windows and boilers. Up to 31st December 2013, 96 Cashback vouchers had been paid in Somerset, a rate of 4.2 per 10,000 households (see below);

Energy Companies Obligation (ECO)

The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme is designed to suppot low-income and vulnerable people. It is delivered via energy companies who liaise with householders and landlords in order to identify and implement energy-saving measures. There are various different Obligations:-

• Carbon Savings Target Obligation (CSO)
• Carbon Savings Community Obligation (CBSO)
• Affordable Warmth (HHCRO)

Up to 31st December 2013, more than 2,000 measures had been delivered in Somerset, but very few in West Somerset (see below):-

Source: DECC

At 9.3 per 1000 households, the rate in Somerset is well below the regional and national averages (14% and 20%, respectively).