Press and Media
Original EPC research, free to cite
EPCGuide has analysed all 29.2 million domestic EPC certificates ever issued in England and Wales. Our data is independently compiled and freely available for journalists, researchers, and policymakers.
About EPCGuide
EPCGuide is an independent research platform that analyses the UK's Energy Performance Certificate data to make it accessible to the public. We have analysed all 29.2 million domestic EPC certificates ever issued in England and Wales, covering 346 local authorities. Our research is not funded by any government body, energy company, or political organisation.
Our dataset is compiled directly from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's open data register and updated to reflect the latest available certificates. We apply consistent methodology across all 346 local authority areas to ensure like-for-like comparability.
All EPCGuide research is freely available for press citation, academic use, and policy reference. We ask only that you attribute findings to EPCGuide and link to the relevant research page where possible.
Key Statistics for Press Use
These figures are ready to use in copy. All derived from our analysis of 29,214,082 EPC certificates across England and Wales.
- 29,214,082 EPC certificates analysed across England and Wales
- 55.3% of homes in England and Wales are below EPC C
- 16.1 million homes need upgrades before the 2030 deadline
- Estimated total upgrade cost: £111.7 billion
- Worst performing area: Isles of Scilly (85% of homes below EPC C)
- Best performing area: Tower Hamlets (24.9% of homes below EPC C)
- Blackpool: worst major town at 72% of homes below EPC C
- Victorian homes cost £1,433/yr to heat vs £500/yr for modern builds
- Private renters are 42% more likely to live in homes with uninsulated solid walls
Pre-written Quotes
These quotes are approved for press use. Attribute all quotes to the EPCGuide Research Team.
“Our analysis of every EPC ever issued reveals that over half of English and Welsh homes would fail the proposed 2030 minimum standard. The scale of this challenge has been consistently underestimated. With 16.1 million properties needing upgrades in less than five years, the UK faces one of the most ambitious retrofit programmes in its peacetime history.”
“The £111.7 billion price tag represents one of the largest infrastructure challenges facing the UK. That is equivalent to roughly £7,000 per non-compliant property. Without coordinated government intervention, market incentives alone cannot deliver this at the speed and scale required.”
“The data shows a clear split-incentive problem: private renters are 42% more likely to live in homes with uninsulated solid walls than owner-occupiers. Landlords bear the cost of upgrades while tenants benefit from lower bills. This structural misalignment is a key reason the private rented sector consistently lags behind on energy efficiency.”
“The gap between the best and worst performing areas is stark: Tower Hamlets at 24.9% versus Isles of Scilly at 85%. Urban density, building age, and fuel access all play a role, but the data reveals that geography and property type are far stronger predictors of EPC performance than most policy analysis has acknowledged.”
Our Research
Five original research reports covering different angles of the UK EPC picture. Each is freely available and citable.
Interactive UK EPC Map 2026
Choropleth map of EPC compliance across all 346 local authorities. Sortable tables, property-type breakdowns, and CSV export.
UK's Most Expensive Areas to Heat
Annual heating cost analysis by area, fuel type, and property age. Reveals the off-gas penalty and Victorian heating premium.
Constituency EPC Rankings
EPC compliance ranked by parliamentary constituency. Essential context for coverage of the 2030 deadline debate.
Rental vs Owner-Occupied EPC Gap
Private renters are 42% more likely to have uninsulated solid walls. Full analysis of the split-incentive problem.
EPC Compliance Analysis
Full national compliance picture: rating distributions, upgrade costs, and the scale of work needed before 2030.
Local Authority Data
We have detailed EPC breakdowns for all 346 local authorities in England and Wales. Each page includes rating distributions, property type breakdowns, construction age analysis, tenure data, and estimated upgrade costs.
Looking for data on a specific area? Browse our local authority pages or contact us for a tailored data request.
Citation Format
Please use the following format when citing EPCGuide research in articles or academic work:
EPCGuide (2026). Analysis of 29,214,082 EPC certificates. Available at: epcguide.co.uk/research
For specific pages, replace /research with the path of the relevant report.
Press Contact
For press enquiries, data requests, or interview requests, contact the EPCGuide research team. We aim to respond to all media enquiries within one working day.
press@epcguide.co.uk