Only 1% of UK homes getting best cheap energy rates through efficiency - 26/01/2009
According to new figures from Halifax Estate Agents, only one per cent of UK homes are currently accessing the best cheap energy rates through efficiency.
For over a year now, house sellers have had to get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as part of a Home Information Pack (Hip). This is intended to show prospective buyers and tenants how energy-efficient a property is and the extent to which a home will offer cheap energy rates.
The EPC offers A and B as the highest levels, but very few properties are scoring this highly.
Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax Estate Agents, said: "The overwhelming majority of homes have an average energy efficiency rating, with hardly any in the top two most efficient bands."
The survey found that of 85 different local authorities the highest average figure of energy-efficient properties were found in South Gloucestershire.
In autumn last year the prime minister announced that nationwide energy-efficiency would be pursued in order to provide better access to cheap energy.
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