New tool analyses energy use in Highland properties.

The Highland Council has introduced a cutting-edge online tool aimed at accelerating the identification of households most in need of energy efficiency upgrades. This new tool, known as the Domestic Property Dashboard, comes on the heels of the successful launch of the Energy Benchmarking Tool last year, which focuses on monitoring non-domestic carbon emissions and energy usage.

The primary goal of the Domestic Property Dashboard is to pinpoint the least efficient properties throughout the Highland region, regardless of tenure. This strategic approach enables the council to develop targeted projects that aim to enhance property efficiency and combat fuel poverty in alignment with the council’s Net Zero and LHEES strategies.

Councillor Sarah Fanet, Chair of Highland Council’s Climate Change Committee, expressed, “The aim of the dashboard is to allow the council to identify the most inefficient properties across the region (all tenures) to allow the council to develop place-based projects which seek to improve property efficiency and support the council’s ambition to reduce fuel poverty across the region, this is in line with the council’s Net Zero and LHEES strategies.”

The tool not only assists in identifying properties eligible for external funding but also streamlines the application process for energy efficiency projects. By filtering data, officers can swiftly identify properties qualified for external grant schemes, ensuring a smoother and more efficient funding application process.

Prior to the introduction of this tool, such assessments would have been carried out manually, leading to delays in meeting external funding deadlines. However, with the Domestic Property Dashboard, officers can now expedite the evaluation process and align with strict funding timelines, which often have limited lead times.

Additionally, the tool enables the filtering of property types across all tenures, encompassing every domestic property in the Highland region. This inclusive approach ensures that no property is left out of consideration for potential energy efficiency upgrades.

External funding for domestic retrofit projects presents eligible residents in Highland with the opportunity to benefit from energy-efficient measures that reduce carbon emissions, lower heating costs, alleviate fuel poverty, and facilitate a smooth transition to a net-zero carbon footprint.