Three in five UK households have poor energy performance rating, data shows
Two-thirds of British homeowners are unaware what their property's EPC rating is – with 59% of households having a poor rating, according to new data.
Nearly 14 million households in England and Wales, or 59% of domestic dwellings, have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D to G, according to figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities – with G being the lowest possible rating.
This leaves these homeowners vulnerable to more costly energy bills – while just under 50,000 homes are currently scoring the top EPC rating of A, with the lowest energy costs.
However, when asked about their EPC ratings, a poll of 2,000 homeowners revealed that 72% believe their home is economical with its energy use – with 84% predicting their rating would be C or above.
But despite this, nearly half (48%) still took measures in the last year to make their properties more energy efficient.
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The research was commissioned by Skipton Group, to mark the expansion of its free EPC Plus report offering to all its 1.1million members – which aims to support more homeowners to understand how they can improve the energy efficiency of their properties.
Thermal imaging shows how much energy is lost based on a home's EPC rating (Skipton Group)Stuart Haire, the group chief executive, said: “We know that the rising cost of living and energy bills are at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds right now – but knowing accurately how energy efficient your home is can play a big part in helping you to reduce your energy bills.
“Our research has revealed a real knowledge gap across homeowners when it comes to understanding the true energy efficiency of their own homes, with many assuming their properties are more energy efficient than they really are.
“By not understanding the actual energy performance of their homes, it could be costing them hundreds of pounds in wasted energy – when even small changes could make the biggest difference to reducing their bills and improving their homes.”
The study went on to highlight how people perceive other household waste – with almost a quarter (23%) of people admitting they feel very guilty about throwing away food.
And 56% of those polled have tried to reduce the amount of food which ends up in the bin.
To do so, many are eating leftovers rather than throwing them away, being more vigilant about freezing food before it reaches its use-by date, and planning their meals before hitting the supermarket.
However, when it comes to energy, only 14% of those polled, via OnePoll, feel guilty about leaving an appliance on stand-by, and just 18% feel this way when they leave a light on.
But over the course of a year, these two simple household habit changes could save over £2,000.
Skipton Group has also teamed up with a specialist thermal photographer to help visualise the energy which is lost depending on a property's EPC rating.
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Mr Haire added: “We want to take a leading role in financing the acceleration of greener UK homes, and I am proud of our commitment to do this.
“Giving homeowners the knowledge of their current energy efficiency rating, as well as what it could potentially be, is a big step.
“This not only shows what savings can be made with changes to their home, but it also estimates the tonnes of carbon produced by the households.
“And it includes details of any government-funded schemes available through local authorities and installers that customers are eligible for.
“Homeowners will understand how they might make their home more energy efficient – as well as aiding energy awareness, and bridging the knowledge gap, to empower people to save money on their household bills and help green homes across the UK.”
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