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In summary
Consumer Rights – Helping People – Helping York
Consumer Rights CIC has been working with York residents for the past few years to help them reduce both their energy bills and carbon emissions.
We are committed to helping York residents access funding through ECO4, supported by LA Flex, and The Great British Insulation Scheme.
So How and Why Do We Do This?
The UK Government has created the ECO4 scheme and other similar grants to help achieve its Net Zero emissions target.
The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for properties in York is D, with an average energy score of 60. This indicates moderate energy efficiency across the housing stock, with significant room for improvement through retrofitting measures such as insulation upgrades, renewable energy installations, and heating system improvements.
Private rental properties in York must have a minimum EPC rating of band E to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Properties rated F or G cannot be legally rented out unless they have a valid exemption registered on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemptions Register. Of the 14,531 private rented properties in York, 9,371 are currently in EPC Bands D and E.
The UK government is considering plans to increase the minimum EPC requirement for rental properties to band C by 2030, which would significantly impact York landlords. Properties with higher EPC ratings are becoming increasingly attractive to tenants due to lower energy costs.
Consumer Rights’ Role in York
Residents of York with older homes that need energy efficiency upgrades can get help improving their property’s EPC rating through government-backed schemes like ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme.
The City of York Council has secured over £3.4 million in funding to retrofit 280 homes over the next three years, focusing on measures such as insulation, air source heat pumps, and solar panels. These efforts aim to reduce carbon emissions and improve comfort for residents.
EPC Ratings in York – The Breakdown
- C and above (good energy efficiency): It is estimated that around 30-35% of homes in York have an EPC rating of C or higher, indicating they are relatively energy-efficient. However, many could still benefit from further upgrades, such as modern heating systems or insulation improvements.
- D (average efficiency): The most common rating for homes in York is band D, which reflects moderate energy efficiency. These homes could significantly reduce energy bills with efficiency upgrades.
- E (poor efficiency): A smaller proportion of properties fall into band E, meaning they have poor energy efficiency and face higher heating costs.
- F-G (very poor efficiency): The least common group includes homes with F or G ratings, indicating very poor energy performance. These properties often require major upgrades to meet modern energy standards.
Many homes in York are already eligible for government funded energy improvement schemes, as these schemes only require a property to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.
If you think you may be eligible for funding, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and will be happy to advise you further.