An evaluation by charity Changeworks found that Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Schemes - which provide funding to local councils - have helped householders live in more affordably warm homes and reduce stress linked to rising bills. These schemes support home upgrades such as wall insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.

Solar PV and battery storage (SPVB) systems installed in homes across the Scottish Borders and Moray reduced energy costs by an average of £763 per household per year and met around 72% of residents’ energy needs. Before installation, just over half of households (51%) said heating their home was affordable; after installation, this rose to 84%.

Across projects where solar PV and battery storage (SPVB) were combined with external wall insulation (EWI):

• 75% of households said it was affordable or very affordable to heat their home, up from 43% before installation
• Half of households said they rarely or never felt stressed about energy bills, compared to just 13% previously
• 95% were satisfied or very satisfied with the installation process.

For households that received EWI, 90% reported an improvement in the external appearance of their home.

With the ongoing energy crisis, bills are expected to keep rising heading into winter. Changeworks is urging householders to improve the energy efficiency of their homes now to reduce costs and stay warm, and to switch to sustainable heating to avoid being as impacted by volatile gas prices.

Depending on income, property type and location, Area Based Schemes projects are often fully funded or heavily subsidised. This means most households won’t have to pay the full cost of upgrades like insulation, heat pumps or solar panels.

Josiah Lockhart, chief executive at Changeworks, said: “Energy bills remain a real concern for many households. These findings show that targeted support can make a meaningful difference, helping people stay warm, reduce costs and feel less under pressure.

“With the next round of Area Based Scheme funding coming up over summer, it’s important that those who are eligible don’t miss the opportunity to benefit. Changeworks can support local councils with delivery and engaging householders – alongside providing impact evaluation to evidence the real difference these projects can have.”