ORGANISERS of the upcoming Green Home Festival have claimed the results of a new survey demonstrate ‘very real appetite for change’ among Scottish homeowners looking to make properties more eco-friendly.
The team behind the renewables event welcomed a poll by WWF Scotland which says the majority of Scots support moves to phase out the use of fossil fuel boilers in existing homes.
The Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) added that the survey’s other findings show ‘an encouraging willingness to commit to a green future’.
More than half of the respondents to the survey said they would support the introduction of Scottish Government policies to phase out fossil fuel boilers. In addition, 65% said they believed there should be new rules for better insulation in existing homes at vital moments, such as buying or selling a property.
40% of respondents said they would consider installing a heat pump as an alternative to a fossil fuel boiler within the next five years; 57% would be willing to purchase a heat pump with some or no government support; 71% are aware of the negative impact of oil and gas boilers have on climate change; and 80% believe higher oil and gas prices contribute to inflation and higher cost of living.
Green Home Festival co-organiser Fiona Hodgson, who is CEO of plumbing and heating association SNIPEF, said, “These findings show there is a very real appetite for change among homeowners, who are aware of the importance of climate change and want to help Scotland build towards net zero. It’s particularly pleasing to see so many people recognising the need to move away from fossil fuels and embrace cleaner energy sources, and also encouraging to see that two-thirds of those polled want better insulation rules enforced.
“The upcoming Green Home Festival supports these ideas wholeheartedly and will be offering practical demonstrations of how we can make them become a reality as we aim to build a more sustainable future, one home at a time.”
Starting on Monday 14 August, the second Green Home Festival will deliver 11 free shows on low-carbon living as part of the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
John McKinney, co-organiser of the Green Home Festival and secretary of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, added, “Scotland has already taken its first steps down the path to a more low-carbon future, but we still have a long way to go. However, the results of this survey show that people are aware of the need to make real and lasting change. Attending the Green Home Festival and taking on board the wealth of free advice from our experts will help homeowners take their next steps as we harness the power of renewables and move to a more sustainable way of living.”
