Scotland now falls in line with England & Wales in complying with European Environmental legislation requiring an energy assessment of properties for sale or rent other than requiring a Home Buyers Pack. The single survey in that pack will also contain the Energy Assessment of the home. The energy performance certificate is almost identical to that south of the border though some differences in the thernal properties of Scottish properies exist (the U values). Variances in the date bands of building regulations for the insulation requirements under Scottish Building regulations and the change in heat saving glass in double glazing is improved in Scotland though introduced in 2003, a year later in than England & Wales.

 

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These concrete system built high rise flats of the 1960's can vary considerably in energy rating due to the improvements made to many of them from their original design. Apartments on the extremities of the building fare less well than those enclosed on four out of six elevations. Those flats against stairwells and lift shafts are rated a little less than due to additional heat loss walls.

Typical of construction througout central Scotland, these sandstone faced sold wall construction date from around 1880. Open chimneys are a common feature but are a large source of heat loss and draught where not sealed up properly after modern gas wall mounted boilers are installed. The stone is often quarried from Corncockle quarry, approx 4 miles north of the town.

4 storey high tenements are common in Aberdeen with the top floor construction being timber & slate clad forming rooms in roofs. The common construction of the main block is of granite stone. The properties are not easy to keep warm so good insulation is essential for energy efficiency and CO2 reductions.  However, granite performs well as a large heat loss mass - slow to heat up and cool down.