More than four in 10 homeowners are delaying or considering postponing energy-efficiency improvements amid confusion about EPC ratings, research from Uswitch reveals.
The survey of 1,500 people finds that 20% have already put improvements on hold, while another 23% are considering delaying work.
Almost half of respondents either do not understand how EPC ratings relate to energy bills or believe they make little or no difference.
The findings suggest uncertainty over property assessments could discourage investment in insulation, modern heating systems and renewable technologies, potentially leaving homes more expensive to run and less attractive to energy-conscious buyers.
HOMEOWNERS MISUNDERSTAND RATINGS
More than a third of respondents incorrectly believe energy costs form part of an EPC assessment, while 16% think the number of bedrooms affects the rating.
A further 15% believe a property’s value is considered and 6% think its location directly influences the score.
Under the current system, an EPC is based on factors affecting a property’s calculated energy performance, including its construction, insulation, heating, lighting and renewable technology.
Some homeowners correctly identified insulation quality, heating-system efficiency and installations such as solar panels and heat pumps as relevant factors.
However, 25% remain unsure how much influence energy efficiency has on household bills, while 21% believe an EPC rating has little or no relationship with running costs.
PROPERTY MARKET IMPLICATIONS
The findings come as running costs become an increasingly important consideration for buyers, tenants and property professionals.
Clearer information about a home’s energy performance could help agents explain the likely benefits of improvements and give prospective buyers a better understanding of future costs.
Ben Gallizzi, Energy Comparison Expert at Uswitch, says: “Delaying upgrades such as insulation, heating improvements or renewable energy installations can leave households locked into higher energy consumption and unnecessarily expensive bills.”
He adds that energy-efficiency measures can lower running costs, improve comfort and potentially strengthen a property’s long-term value.
“Taking action sooner rather than later allows households to start benefiting from lower energy costs immediately, while also making their homes more resilient and cost-effective for years to come,” Gallizzi says.
