OVER ONE THIRD OF PROPERTIES SURROUNDING COP26 CLIMATE EVENT HAVE D TO G RATED EPCs
-Sprift data highlights energy efficiency ratings in G3 postcode-
With all eyes on Glasgow for the COP26 climate conference, property data specialist, Sprift has analysed EPC data in the G3 postcode, where the conference is located, to see how environmentally friendly the properties are in its immediate surroundings.
There are 6,654 properties in the G3 postcode area with valid EPCs, 95% (6,306) of which are flats. More than one third (34%) of these properties are D-G rated with 12% deemed as having ‘very poor’ energy efficiency.
However, there is the potential for 92% to be A-C rated by implementing some energy improvement measures.
Of the properties analysed, the average cost of energy over a three-year period is £2,202. However, the typical savings over the same timeframe could be £671. Heating costs average £1,546 over this time period, which have the potential to be reduced by £526*.
When looking at the tenure of the G3 postcode properties, more than half (52%) are owner occupied, 22% are private rented and 23% are social rented. Out of the private rented, 42% have ratings below C, whilst 19% of the social rented properties have ratings below C.
Matt Gilpin, CEO at Sprift, commented: “These are alarming findings, given that from the beginning of 2025 (just three years away), all newly rented properties in the private rented sector in England and Wales will be required to have a certification rating of C or above. Existing tenancies will need to comply by 2028, assuming successful passage of the Housing Bill currently in Parliament1. Scotland is currently consulting on a minimum standard of D by 2025.”
He added: “Whilst this is just a small snapshot of UK housing, we hope it demonstrates that we have a long way to go to meet the Government’s ambitious energy improvement targets.
“In October, the government set out plans2 to offer £5,000 grants to help 90,000 households install home heat pumps. Our data indicates that 2,225 of the G3 postcode properties have received the recommendation for heat pumps, almost half (1,086) of these being D-rated and lower.
“Upgrading things like heating, glazing and solid wall insulation are all potentially significant costs to homeowners and landlords, which are likely to take many years to recoup. However, the data highlights that 17% of properties currently don’t have low energy lighting installed and 55% do not have full low energy lighting throughout. This is the easiest, cheapest fix3, which homeowners or tenants could do and subsequently benefit from4.”
1 Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings (No. 2) Bill publications – Parliamentary Bills – UK Parliament
2*all figures relate to the G3 postcode only
What are heat pumps and why is the UK government pushing them? | Energy efficiency | The Guardian
3 https://www.greenenergy.org.uk/led-lighting/how-much-does-led-lighting-cost/
4 To install full low energy lighting would have an indicative average cost of £38 per property over three years and result in an indicative average saving of £32 per property over three years.
