Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates Statistical Release: April to June 2023 England and Wales

Question 1

1.  Key statistics

Accepted Answer

England and Wales

In the Quarter April to June 2023, 480,000 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were lodged on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register for both domestic and non-domestic properties in England and Wales, a 2% increase compared to the same Quarter 2022.

England

In April to June 2023, 420,000 domestic EPCs were lodged on the Register, a 1% decrease on the same Quarter in 2022.

The number of EPCs for new dwellings (56,000) had a 13% decrease while the number of existing domestic EPCs (364,000) had a 1% increase compared to the same Quarter last year.

In the 12 months to June 2023, 239,000 EPCs were lodged for new build dwellings, a 2% decrease on the previous year.

From April to June 2023, 86% of new properties were given an A or B rating, no change from 86% in the same Quarter in 2022.

In Quarter 2 2023,the number of EPCs lodged for new dwellings in all regions decreased compared to the same Quarter in 2022, the largest of which was in the West Midlands (-23%) and London (-20%).

Wales

In April to June 2023, 21,000 EPCs were lodged on the Register covering domestic dwellings. This is a 1% decrease compared to the same Quarter in 2022.

Of the 21,000 domestic properties lodged, 19,000 were for existing properties, a 1% increase, while 2,000 were for new properties (including new builds, conversions and change of use), a 15% decrease.

From April to June 2023, 87% of new domestic properties received an energy efficiency rating of A (the highest) or B, whilst only 13% received a rating of C or D.

In Quarter 2 2023, the largest increases in EPCs lodged for new dwellings compared to the same quarter in 2022, was in Merthyr Tydfil (425%), while the largest decrease was in Ceredigion (-66%).

Question 2

2.  Introduction

Accepted Answer

This statistical release presents Experimental Official Statistics based on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) issued for domestic and non-domestic buildings and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) issued for buildings occupied by public authorities. The certificates are lodged on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register (The Register) for England and Wales.

Through most of the release, the figures have been split into England only and Wales only. If England and Wales combined figures are required, they are available in the ‘live’ tables published alongside this release. Throughout the report, numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Percentage changes have been calculated using unrounded figures. Due to rounding, individual figures may not add up to the total.

Energy Performance Certificates

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) indicates the energy efficiency of a building. The assessments are banded from A to G, where A (or A+ for non-domestic properties) is the most efficient in terms of likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions. An EPC is required when a building is constructed, sold, or let and if a valid certificate is not already in place. The purpose of an EPC is to show prospective tenants or buyers the energy efficiency of the property. The requirement for EPCs was introduced in phases and fully implemented for all properties by autumn 2008. EPCs are valid for 10 years.

Experimental Official Statistics

Experimental Official Statistics are defined in the Code of Practice for Statistics as “new official statistics undergoing evaluation”. They are published in order to involve users and stakeholders in their development and as a means to build in quality at an early stage.

These statistics are based on information from EPCs lodged on the Register. This administrative data is subject to continuing quality assurance and improvement (see Technical Notes on Data Quality). They have been released because they have been judged to be of immediate value to interested parties and to encourage user feedback.

Display Energy Certificates

A Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is only required for buildings occupied by public authorities over 250 square meters where that building is frequently visited by the public.

DECs show the actual energy consumption of a building and are accompanied by reports which provide recommendations on potential energy saving measures. DECs last for one year for buildings with a total useful floor area more than 1,000 square metres, or 10 years when the total useful floor area is over 250 square metres and up to 1,000 square metres.

DECs that can be identified as ‘voluntary’ - some private sector organisations may choose to have a DEC even though they are not mandated by the regulations - may affect statistical and data outputs. Therefore, ‘voluntary DECs are excluded from the published dataset.

Question 3

3.  Coverage

Accepted Answer

The Register does not hold records for all dwellings in England and Wales, as not every dwelling has an EPC (these are only required when a dwelling is constructed, sold or let).

Some dwellings may have changed tenure since the date of their latest EPC. For instance, dwellings that had an EPC for reasons other than being let may have since entered the private or social rented sector.

ONS have led on an exploratory look at the EPC data comparing with the census to determine the Percentage of dwellings covered by an Energy Performance Certificate in England and Wales, using Census 2021 data. Based on their analysis EPCs cover around 60% of the housing stock in England and 55% in Wales. There is a similar proportion across all regions in England.

Question 4

4.  How the data should be used

Accepted Answer

How the data should be used

To evaluate trends in the energy performance of buildings in England and Wales that have had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
To assess changes in the number of EPCs between the same Quarters across years e.g. Q2 2023 and Q2 2022
As an early indication of new housing supply

How the data should not be used

To count the total building stock in England and Wales. The Register does not hold data for every building, only those with an EPC
To compare across Quarters within a year. The data have a seasonal pattern and should only be compared between the same Quarters across years e.g. Q2 2023 and Q2 2022
The data are aggregated and will not comment on individual buildings
To track energy prices. The methodology used to assess energy efficiency does not take into account changes in energy prices

We have published an interactive dashboard to aid in exploring the data presented in this statistical release.

Wales have also recently published their own Welsh EPC Dashboard.

Question 5

5.  England and Wales

Accepted Answer

In the Quarter April to June 2023, 480,000 EPCs were lodged on the Register for both domestic and non-domestic properties in England and Wales, a 2% increase from Quarter 2 in 2022 (Live Table A1).

In April to June 2023, the total number of EPCs lodged for new dwellings in England and Wales had a 14% decrease to 58,000, compared to the equivalent Quarter in 2022 (Live Table NB1). There was a 1% increase to 383,000 for existing dwellings EPCs lodged for that Quarter (Live Table EB1).

Question 6

6.  England quarterly figures

Accepted Answer

Quarterly figures are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the same Quarter as the previous year to see trends.

New and existing dwellings

From April to June 2023, 420,000 EPCs were lodged on the Register covering all domestic dwellings (sales, lets and new dwellings) in England. This represents a 1% decrease on the same Quarter 2022, when there were 424,000 domestic lodgements (Live Table D1).

The majority of domestic EPCs were for the sale or let of existing dwellings. In April to June 2023, 364,000 EPCs for existing dwellings were lodged on the Register in England, a 1% increase, while 56,000 EPCs were lodged for new dwellings (including new builds, conversions and change of use), a 13% decrease on the same Quarter in 2022 (Live Table EB1 and NB1).

Table 1: Number of EPCs for new and existing dwellings, England, April to June 2023

New dwellings: Number	New dwellings: Change since equivalent quarter	Existing dwellings: Number	Existing dwellings: Change since equivalent quarter	All domestic dwellings: Number
56,000	13% decrease	364,000	1% increase	420,000

Source: Live Tables, D1, EB1 and NB1

Note: New dwellings and existing dwellings may not add up to all domestic dwellings due to rounding

Energy Performance Certificates for domestic properties show an Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) based on estimated fuel costs and an Environmental Impact Rating (EIR) based on CO2 emissions. Both measures are estimated from the characteristics of the property. The numerical ratings are then banded A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G the least. In general, the higher the EER or EIR rating, the lower the fuel bills and CO2 emissions are likely to be.

For both the EER and the EIR, the largest proportion of lodgements for existing domestic properties in England were in bands C and D. New properties in England tended to be more energy efficient, with the majority in band B (Figures 1 and 2).

In England, from April to June 2023, most (83%) new properties were given a B EER rating. Existing dwellings were more likely to be given a C or D EER (85%), compared to 13% of new dwellings. (Live Tables EB1 and NB1).

Figure 1: Energy efficiency ratings (EER): existing and new domestic properties, England, April to June 2023

Note: Percentage changes have been calculated using unrounded figures, therefore proportions may not add to 100%.

Figure 2: Environmental impact ratings (EIR): existing and new domestic properties, England, April to June 2023

Note: Percentage changes have been calculated using unrounded figures, therefore proportions may not add to 100%.

Non-domestic properties

A non-domestic property is a building that is not a dwelling, such as a retail unit or office.

In April to June 2023, 37,000 EPCs were lodged for non-domestic properties, a 47% increase compared with the corresponding Quarter in 2022.

The distribution by EPC band is shown in Figure 3. Non-domestic buildings have an additional A+ band but numbers are too small to report so are combined with those receiving an A rating. An A+, A or B rating was given to 36% of properties (Live Table A).

Figure 3: Energy performance asset ratings for non-domestic properties, England, April to June 2023

Note: Percentage changes have been calculated using unrounded figures, therefore proportions may not add to 100%.

Display Energy Certificates (DECs)

Properties over 250 square meters occupied by a public authority and frequently visited by the public must display a Display Energy Certificate (DEC). DECs show the actual energy consumption of a building and are accompanied by reports which provide recommendations on potential energy saving measures.

From April to June 2023, 7,000 DECs were lodged in England, a 2% increase compared with the corresponding Quarter in 2022 (Live Table DEC1).

The distribution of DECs by Energy Performance Operational Ratings is shown in Figure 4. The highest proportion of DECs (33%) were in band C.

Figure 4: Energy Performance Operational Ratings: Display Energy Certificates, England, April to June 2023

Note: Percentage changes have been calculated using unrounded figures, therefore proportions may not add to 100%.

Long-term trends by transaction type

Figure 5 shows the number of domestic EPCs by transaction type, i.e. the reason for the EPC being produced, as well as the total number. The transaction types have been grouped. For example, lodgements for social and private rentals are grouped together.

The chart shows fluctuations in different transaction types based on the total number of EPCs lodged. For example, there is a seasonal pattern with fewer home sales at Christmas, which can be seen in the number of EPC lodgements. This seasonality affects the total for EPCs, particularly up to the end of 2012. At the end of 2012 the recast of EU Directive also led to changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations (the regulations). It also shows how the total number of EPCs were influenced by lodgements made for energy efficiency programmes and similar schemes, as well as lodgements for other reasons, particularly in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Figure 5: Number of domestic EPCs lodged from October 2008 to end of June 2023, by transaction type, England

Note: The categories collected changed in 2012, leading to a break in the chart indicated by the line.

Question 7

7.  England annual figures

Accepted Answer