"It may well be harder to achieve good energy efficiency with an older property, but a property’s age isn’t the deciding factor when it comes to an EPC rating"
- Craig Cooper - epIMS
EPC and energy efficiency platform, epIMS analysed energy efficiency rating bands data from the UK government to see how current EPC ratings differ for English homes built during various periods of time, ranging from those built pre-1919 to those built post-1990.
According to the data, modern homes tend to score well when it comes to EPCs, with almost 83% of homes built post-1990 currently holding a rating of C or above.
However, in stark contrast, less than 39% of homes built before 1990 have so far been able to meet this grade.
The research shows that the energy efficiency of homes has gradually increased over the decades.
Among homes built in England before 1919, only 20.7% have a current EPC rating of C or above; while when it comes to homes built between 1919 and 1944, 28.5% have a rating of C or above.
And so the trend of steadily improving EPCs continues through homes built between 1945 –1964 (48.4%), 1965 – 1980 (49.4%), and 1981 – 1990 (59.8%), before peaking with homes built post-1990 (82.6%).
Things to consider when buying an old property
If you’re thinking about buying an old property, you need to be wary of the impact that poor energy efficiency and a low EPC rating can have.
High energy bills
As a result, your energy bills are going to be higher which, at a time when the cost of living is already through the roof, is something that requires careful consideration when looking at an older home.
Mortgage affordability
Halifax has recently announced that it is to start considering EPC ratings when calculating mortgage affordability for homebuyers; the reason being that a low EPC rating indicates that energy bills may be higher which will impact the buyer’s living costs and ability to afford monthly repayments.
Large carbon footprint
With an old home, you’re going to have a relatively large carbon footprint, with poor efficiency requiring more energy usage. So if being eco-friendly is a priority to you, an old home isn’t a great option.
Limits on renovations
If you buy a particularly old or historic property, it’s important to understand that there may be limitations on the kinds of renovations you can carry out. For example, if you buy a Grade II listed home, you may not be given permission to fit double-glazing.
This is worth particular consideration if you’re planning to rent the property because the government has proposed a strict requirement for all rental homes to have an EPC of at least C by 2030.
However, none of this should put you off entirely, because it’s far from impossible to achieve an EPC rating of C with an older home, as illustrated by the fact that almost half of all homes built between 1945 and 1964 have already achieved a rating of C or above.
COO of epIMS, Craig Cooper, commented: “It may well be harder to achieve good energy efficiency with an older property, but a property’s age isn’t the deciding factor when it comes to an EPC rating.
"In fact, many modern features designed to improve energy efficiency can actually be detrimental to an EPC rating, with BIOMASS boilers being a prime example, as you’ll actually achieve a higher score with a traditional gas boiler.
"This is because the calculations behind EPC ratings aren’t based purely on the efficiency of a property, they are also based on the cost required to heat and power a home.
"So when it comes to making improvements, it’s important to understand just what an EPC is and how it’s calculated. We’re currently working with banks and private lenders to deliver a platform that calculates the most affordable way of carrying out energy efficiency improvements, so homeowners can make changes that actually make a difference regardless of the property’s age.”
