Social housing 'more energy efficient' than private sector homes

Social sector homes are more energy efficient than those in the private sector, an energy expert said today.

Local authorities and other RSLs are paying more attention to ensure energy standards are met, compared to private property owners.

The National EPC Company which carries out Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) across all sectors has observed that the worst offending properties for energy inefficiency are in the private sector.

Findings from The English Housing Survey (EHS) Headline Report, published by the Communities and Local Government earlier this year, back up this claim.

The report found that on average social sector homes have a mean Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of 59 compared to private properties which on average score 49. A SAP rating is a method of calculating the energy efficiency of a home.

The private rented sector was also highlighted as the worst offender for energy efficiency by a study carried out by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) last month.

Marc Blomfield, managing director of The National EPC Company, said: “The authorities are prepared to invest in improving standards and will benefit from energy cost savings in the future.

“Large old properties that have seen little investment over the years are likely to have old heating systems, poor insulation and inefficient boilers.

“Landlords in the private sector need to make sure they tackle these unsatisfactory house conditions and get them up to scratch. There will be little excuse not to when the Green Deal scheme launches in 2012.“

Mr Blomfield added: “People investing in new properties mustn’t fall into the trap of believing everything new is energy efficient. This is just not true. The reality is that ten per cent of new properties fail the energy efficiency test too.”

A fifth of UK homes are rated band F or G through the EPC. Properties with F and G ratings are the least energy efficient.