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Fuel poverty is not just a statistic, it’s a daily reality for thousands of households across Scotland. Recent figures show that nearly one in three Scottish households struggle to afford adequate heating. For social landlords, this is more than an operational challenge; it’s a moral imperative.

The Challenge
Rising energy costs and ambitious climate targets demand bold action. But technical solutions alone are not enough. At Grampian Housing Association, we believe tenants should not only benefit from energy efficiency measures, they should help shape the priorities for the Association. Energy efficiency is about more than carbon reduction; it’s about comfort, choice, affordability, and trust.

Tenant-led Solutions
Following a recent tenant survey, renewables emerged as a clear priority to help lower energy costs. Feedback from tenants whose homes are already fitted with solar panels speaks volumes:

“Being an association home there is absolutely no negative. It's a free install which will give you cheap and or free energy.”;

“As winter has come in the saving isn't too much but the rest of the year will certainly make up for it. You can see all the power you are generating through the app.”;

“In the summer weather I was saving around 50-60% on our electricity bills. We are all electric here with heat pump. In summer heating water (which is the most expensive part) was basically free.”

These voices underline the importance of co-designing solutions with tenants.

Achievements So Far
Energy saving upgrades: working with partners Procurement for Housing Scotland, Procast, and Net Zero Fund Management, Grampian Housing Association has secured over £2 million in ECO4 funding to install solar PV panels and insulation upgrades in 180 electrically heated homes.

Tenants report summer electricity bills have dropped by over 50%. This is a tangible win for household budgets.

Cleaner, efficient heating: with support from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, Momentum 4 and Easy Heat, work has started on replacing an outdated gas district heating system in Peterhead with a modern communal ground source heat pump system. This will decarbonise 48 homes and reduce heating costs.

Tenant Power: before March 2026, Grampian Housing Association will upgrade 17 properties by replacing heating systems, improving insulation, and installing solar PV, batteries, and smart thermostats. These homes will move from an EPC rating of “D” to a high “B”.  The work is supported by Procurement for Housing, Net Zero Fund Management, Switchee, and Octopus Energy. Tenants will also qualify for Octopus Energy’s Tenant Power social rent tariff, offering 30% reductions on their standard rate tariffs reducing electricity bills for properties with solar PV and battery systems installed.

Looking Ahead
Scotland’s Social Housing Net Zero Standard sets ambitious targets, but success depends on more than funding streams and technical solutions. Tenants must have a voice in shaping these projects. Why? Because energy efficiency isn’t just about carbon - it’s about people.

For these energy efficiency projects to really make a difference, we need tenants to be genuinely on board. When people understand what’s happening and can see the benefits for their own homes and budgets, the projects run more smoothly and deliver much better outcomes for everyone.