Changeworks helps more than 215,000 households fight fuel poverty

The Edinburgh-based social enterprise’s latest impact report reveals how a range of energy advice and energy efficiency measures such as insulation – delivered across social housing, rented and privately owned homes – made a real difference to householders. 

In 2024-25 alone, Changeworks and its joint venture, Warmworks’ services, saved 366,677 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from 655,809 UK households’ electricity use. Over the same period, Changeworks’ services – including Home Energy Scotland in the Highlands and Islands and Southeast – provided energy and money-saving support to 47,193 people across Scotland.

Over its last strategic period of 2022-25, the organisation increased its income by 60%, consolidating its position as one of the UK’s leading energy efficiency organisations.

Changeworks has highlighted the “dual challenge” for many households: the financial burden of heating their homes whilst minimising the environmental impact associated with many current heating technologies such as gas boilers, with cost being the main barrier to retrofit.

Across the UK, 61% of people living in social housing and 34% of the general population struggle to afford their energy bills. Because the UK has some of the leakiest and most inefficient homes in Europe, they produce 13% of Scotland’s carbon emissions, and 39% of Scots say their home is often or always cold.

The economic benefit of improving the nation’s home energy efficiency is significant. Targeted retrofitting for all UK homes under the Warm Homes Plan (£13.2bn) is projected to cost less than the Elizabeth Line (£19bn), with potential to generate eight times as many jobs.

To meet Changeworks’ stated ambitions for future delivery over its next five-year strategic period, more needs to be done.  While there are government efforts, such as the expected Heat in Buildings Bill at Holyrood, its narrowed scope means that Changeworks is calling for cross-sector collaboration to develop new services and unlock funding to deliver home retrofit at scale.

Recent research shows that over three quarters (76%) of Scots say reducing social inequalities like fuel poverty is important for legislation.

Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Changeworks, said: “Our expertise and scale empower householders and social housing providers to make homes warmer and cheaper to run, whilst addressing climate concerns in very practical ways. While our record of delivery and organisational growth over the past three years has been encouraging, it is now vital that home energy efficiency is seen as a huge opportunity for cross-sector working.

“The social, economic and environmental benefits of our approach are clear. We will continue to innovate and work across sectors to develop the business models that we know can deliver affordable warmth for all – this includes working with employers via our Low Carbon Living sessions for employees, supporting householders directly through our Green Energy Helpline and working with organisations through our consultancy and project management services.”