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Excerpts from the briefing on Fuel Poverty in Cornwall
by Dr Tim Jones, Chief Executive, Community Energy Plus
For the full report, please click here
by Dr Tim Jones, Chief Executive, Community Energy Plus
For the full report, please click here
"Briefing Note on Fuel Poverty in Cornwall
February 2022
"This means that these figures are based on fuel costs before the pandemic, the 12% energy price cap rise in October 2021, nor the most recent 54% price cap rise."
"In Cornwall the headline rate of Fuel Poverty was 11.4%; for the first time lower that the national average. So, for Cornwall, before the pandemic, about 30,000 households were in or at risk of fuel poverty."
February 2022
"This means that these figures are based on fuel costs before the pandemic, the 12% energy price cap rise in October 2021, nor the most recent 54% price cap rise."
"In Cornwall the headline rate of Fuel Poverty was 11.4%; for the first time lower that the national average. So, for Cornwall, before the pandemic, about 30,000 households were in or at risk of fuel poverty."
"There are 3 important elements in determining whether a household is in or at risk of fuel poverty:
- fuel costs, related to the type of fuel used for primary heating.
- household energy requirements - consideration is needed of the material quality of a house and both its energy efficiency and thermal efficiency.
- household incomes – "
"Fuel costs
Nationally, over 80% of homes have access to mains gas, so this is treated as the standard for domestic heating. This is not the case in Cornwall where about half of homes are not connected to the mains gas network;"
Nationally, over 80% of homes have access to mains gas, so this is treated as the standard for domestic heating. This is not the case in Cornwall where about half of homes are not connected to the mains gas network;"
"Energy efficiency
.... Approximately 65% of Cornish homes have an EPC rating of D or below.
We estimate a minimum of 32,000 homes are rated as EPC F or G (the lowest efficiency and the costliest to run). From a fuel poverty perspective low efficiency housing is harder to keep warm and so more expensive to heat, exacerbating poverty issues."
.... Approximately 65% of Cornish homes have an EPC rating of D or below.
We estimate a minimum of 32,000 homes are rated as EPC F or G (the lowest efficiency and the costliest to run). From a fuel poverty perspective low efficiency housing is harder to keep warm and so more expensive to heat, exacerbating poverty issues."
"Retrofit challenges
1 in 3 homes in Cornwall were built over 100 years ago. Therefore, retrofitting energy efficiency measures is challenging."
"35% of domestic properties in Cornwall are of solid wall construction – built of granite, stone, brick or cobb. External or internal wall insulation is disruptive and costly."
"Contrary to popular understanding, heat loss through an uninsulated roof is about 25%, through windows and doors about 15% but heat loss through the walls is about 35%; any heat loss in domestic properties can be understood as contributing to direct carbon emissions. So making homes more thermally efficient is one of the most effective ways to reduce a household’s carbon footprint."
1 in 3 homes in Cornwall were built over 100 years ago. Therefore, retrofitting energy efficiency measures is challenging."
"35% of domestic properties in Cornwall are of solid wall construction – built of granite, stone, brick or cobb. External or internal wall insulation is disruptive and costly."
"Contrary to popular understanding, heat loss through an uninsulated roof is about 25%, through windows and doors about 15% but heat loss through the walls is about 35%; any heat loss in domestic properties can be understood as contributing to direct carbon emissions. So making homes more thermally efficient is one of the most effective ways to reduce a household’s carbon footprint."
"Damp, Condensation, and Mould
Many households that struggle with the issue of affordable heat, also as a direct result face issues with poor ventilation and the build-up of condensation and mould. This can create a vicious cycle where high humidity levels mean more heating is required to maintain adequate comfort levels."
Many households that struggle with the issue of affordable heat, also as a direct result face issues with poor ventilation and the build-up of condensation and mould. This can create a vicious cycle where high humidity levels mean more heating is required to maintain adequate comfort levels."
"Health impacts of fuel poverty
Around a third of excess winter deaths are caused by respiratory illness so access to affordable warmth is critical.
Living in a cold home can contribute to social isolation, as some people become reluctant to invite friends to a house that is cold. Damp, cold housing and being in fuel debt are associated with an increase in poor mental health."
Around a third of excess winter deaths are caused by respiratory illness so access to affordable warmth is critical.
Living in a cold home can contribute to social isolation, as some people become reluctant to invite friends to a house that is cold. Damp, cold housing and being in fuel debt are associated with an increase in poor mental health."
"The energy price cap announcement
.... the daily standing charge for electricity is increasing by more than 80% and after April we all will automatically pay an additional £75 on our annual electricity bill regardless of how much power we consume. For very low-income households who can use self-disconnection as a way to manage their energy costs, this is a major concern."
.... the daily standing charge for electricity is increasing by more than 80% and after April we all will automatically pay an additional £75 on our annual electricity bill regardless of how much power we consume. For very low-income households who can use self-disconnection as a way to manage their energy costs, this is a major concern."
"Renewables and fuel poverty
It is commonly suggested that moving to renewable energy systems will address fuel poverty. While we have been long-term promotors for the uptake of renewable technologies, CEP’s experience to date is this is not the case for fuel poor households:"
For full details of CEP's experience, please read p3-4 of the full report here
It is commonly suggested that moving to renewable energy systems will address fuel poverty. While we have been long-term promotors for the uptake of renewable technologies, CEP’s experience to date is this is not the case for fuel poor households:"
For full details of CEP's experience, please read p3-4 of the full report here