Study uncovers the English & Welsh areas with the LEAST energy-efficient homes

The areas of England and Wales with the lowest EPC energy ratings have been revealed – 6 are in Wales.

The energy experts at Utility Bidder have analysed official government data to reveal the parts of England and Wales with the most energy-efficient dwellings and those with the least, considering average energy consumption, CO2 emissions, heating costs, and hot water costs before awarding each local authority and region an ‘Energy Efficiency Score’ out of 10.

You can review the research here: https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/blog/household-energy-efficiency-index/

The areas with the lowest EPC energy ratings:

The Isles of Scilly has been named the area of England and Wales with the lowest EPC energy rating. The small archipelago, located off the coast of Southwest England has a population of around 2,100 which means it’s more difficult for properties to be updated compared to those on mainland UK. With this in mind, only 8.5% of dwellings in the area have an EPC rating of A-C.

Gwynedd has the second-lowest EPC rating in the ranking and the lowest overall in Wales. The county, located in north west Wales is known for its pristine coastlines and walking routes, however, only 24.5% of dwellings in Gwynedd have an EPC energy rating of A-C. The Isle of Anglesey, a neighbour of Gwynedd has the third lowest EPC rating in England and Wales, with 35% of dwellings having an EPC rating of A-C.

The research also revealed:

• Knowsley has the highest Energy Efficiency Score of any local authority in England and Wales at 9.69 out of 10. Meanwhile, with an energy efficiency score of 0.11/10, households in Powys have the lowest energy efficiency score.

• Two local authorities, Knowsley and Tower Hamlets, were tied with the joint-highest proportion of households receiving positive EPC ratings in 2023. Both areas saw 83.2% of dwellings given an EPC rating of A, B, or C.

• The Derbyshire market town of Chesterfield saw the lowest average household cost of hot water in 2023 at just £166.74 for the year. Meanwhile, the most expensive hot water rates were found in the Isles of Scilly, where locals paid an average of £403.66 across 2023.

James Longley, Managing Director at Utility Bidder has explained what an EPC rating is and the dangers a low rating can have on a property:

“An EPC (energy performance rating) certificate is given to all properties to grade how energy-efficient they are and are ranked between A and G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least. Many factors contribute to the EPC rating of a property, including energy consumption and the type of materials used to build the property.”

“The biggest problem that a property with a low EPC rating will present is higher energy costs. Poorly insulated homes can lose heat quickly, which means more energy will be needed to make the inside of a property feel warmer. As well as higher energy costs, a property with a low EPC rating can also be harder to sell, as potential buyers may look to purchase a more energy-efficient property and mortgage lenders may also see the rating as a potential issue.”

“If your property has a low EPC rating then there are steps you can take to improve it and make your home more appealing to potential buyers. Installing solar panels, insulating your home, investing in new windows and doors and upgrading to an energy-efficient heating system will all contribute to creating a more energy-efficient home.”

You can view the full research again by clicking here.