Research shows that many homes in the Highlands are expensive to heat, and, with domestic energy bills much higher now than two years ago, people are looking for ways to reduce these costs. They are also increasingly concerned about the climate impacts of using fossil fuels to heat their homes.


But many people don’t know where to begin, or what the best or most cost-effective energy saving measures are. To address this problem, several community organisations across the Highlands have come together to try and improve the advice available, as we want it to be easier for local people to make decisions about energy efficiency measures like insulation and efficient, low-carbon heating.

We’re keen to gather information from local people about the energy you use in your home, and what you might be able to do to use less energy.

This survey will take about 5 or 6 minutes. The data collected is anonymous and will really help with our plan to improve services in this area.

The organisations working together on this project include:
  • Coigach Community Development Company (CCDC)
  • Contin, Jamestown and Tarvie Projects (CJT)
  • Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum (GALE)
  • The Garve & District Development Company (TG&DDC)
  • Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust (LUCT)
  • Transition Black Isle (TBI)

We are also grateful for the support of:
  • Changeworks
  • Home Energy Scotland (HES)
  • Healthy Homes for Skye, Raasay & Lochalsh, who have given us permission to use some of these survey questions

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* 1. Where do you live?

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* 2. Please tell us about the home you are living in right now. Please tick all the responses that apply:

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* 3. How many residents live in your home?

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* 4. How many storeys does your house have (not applicable if a flat)?

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* 5. Do you...:

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* 6. How is your house built?

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* 7. What is the main source of heat in your home?

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* 8. Are you warm enough in your home in winter?

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* 9. Do you have current problems with damp?

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* 10. Do you have current problems with mould?

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* 11. Can you feel a draught inside your house?

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* 12. In the last 12 months, have you been cold in your home because you have tried to use heating less or not at all?

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* 13. How concerned are you about your overall energy costs?

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* 14. Please indicate if you think any of the following make your home hard to heat:

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* 15. How confident are you that you can significantly reduce your own home energy usage without major work being done to the property (e.g. new insulation, new boiler/heating system)?

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* 16. What, if any, are the main barriers to you getting energy efficiency improvements done?

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* 17. Do you know how to get free, impartial advice on how to reduce your energy usage, and on what grants are available for energy efficiency improvements?

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* 18. How would you prefer to receive this advice? Please rank the following in order from most to least preferable

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* 19. Several Highland community groups are applying for grant funding to make expert energy efficiency advice more accessible in our areas. This project would offer advice tailored to your home and circumstances on how to reduce your energy bills. The advice will cover the upgrades that are appropriate and cost effective, and would include information about available grants.

How supportive are you of this project?

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* 20. If you have any more comments about home energy, energy efficiency or low carbon heating, please add these here:

Thank you for completing this survey. We are extremely grateful for your feedback!
Coigach Community Development Company
Contin, Jamestown and Tarvie Projects
Gairloch and Loch Ewe Action Forum
The Garve & District Development Company
Lochbroom and Ullapool Community Trust
Transition Black Isle

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