Scottish homeowners looking to switch to sustainable homes, survey shows

Organisers of the upcoming Green Home Festival have claimed there is a ‘very real appetite for change’ to make properties eco-friendly.

The team behind the Green Home Festival, which is due to be held from 14^th – 18^th August in Edinburgh, have welcomed a new-poll by environment organisation WWF Scotland, which says that the majority of Scots support moves to phase out the use of fossil fuel burners in existing homes.

Within the survey, of which results were published on Monday 31^st July, more than half of those asked 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.

Other findings from the survey included:

• 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 wiling 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
• 80% believe higher oil and gas prices contribute to inflation and higher costs of living

Green Home Festival co-organiser, Fiona Hodgson, said: ‘These finds 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.’

The festival, which kicks off in two weeks, is made up of 28 trade associations, professional services bodies, and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars, and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish government ministers.

Image: Eelco Böhtlingk