"It’s important to note that high energy usage doesn’t necessarily indicate that a home is not energy efficient, however, there’s no doubt that a property that isn’t maximised to be energy efficient will see a far higher level of usage versus a comparable property that is"
- Craig Cooper - epIMS
epIMS analysed the latest Gov data on annual household energy use by local authorities across England and Wales, looking at the average energy usage per dwelling over the last five years, to reveal where across England and Wales we burn the most energy within our homes.
The figures show that over the last five years, the average energy usage for homes across England and Wales sits at 233 kilowatt hours, per metre squared, per annum (kWh/m2 pa).
Yorkshire is the region that uses the most household energy in this respect, where the average dwelling uses 10% more energy versus the average for England and Wales, whilst London is home to the lowest energy usage per dwelling, coming in -8.6% below the national benchmark.
Power hungry
However, when breaking the nation down at local authority level, the analysis by epIMS shows that it’s Gwynedd in Wales that is home to the highest energy use per dwelling in England and Wales.
Over the last five years, the average dwelling in Gwynedd has used a whopping 325 kWh/m2 pa, which is some 40% above the national average.
Blackpool (30%) and Bradford (29%) are home to the second and third highest energy use per dwelling versus the national average.
Calderdale (29%) and Pendle (28%) also rank within the top five areas, with Westmorland and Furness (27%), Rossendale (26%), Ceredigion (25%), Staffordshire Moorlands (24%) and Hyndburn (22%) making the top 10.
Energy savers
In contrast, the dwellings that use the lowest amount of energy are found in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, where over the last five years, the average home has used just 157 kWh/m2 pa - 33% less than the wider average for England and Wales.
The London Borough of Newham ranks second, coming in 23% below the national average, with East Leigh (-21%) and South Cambridgeshire (-21%) also amongst the most energy-efficient homes in the nation.
COO of epIMS, Craig Cooper, commented: “Household energy efficiency is once again hitting the headlines, as the Government looks to put further rental reforms into place which will require rental properties to hold a minimum EPC rating of C.
"However, for the average homeowner, improving the energy efficiency of their home and cutting down on their consumption may already be a priority, particularly given the fact that energy prices have soared in recent years.
"Of course, it’s important to note that high energy usage doesn’t necessarily indicate that a home is not energy efficient, however, there’s no doubt that a property that isn’t maximised to be energy efficient will see a far higher level of usage versus a comparable property that is.
"For some, particularly those in the North of the country where the climate is colder, energy usage is likely to be higher and it’s arguably these areas where the energy efficiency of a property is most important.
"This can be easier said than done, but you might be surprised at how even the smallest changes can help to dramatically reduce your energy usage.
"Turning your thermostat down by just one degree could save you as much as 10% on your energy bill, whilst a very simple addition like a draft excluder under your front and back door could save you £80 a year for something you can do yourself for little to no cost.”
