New research from Atom bank has shown a major knowledge gap among UK homeowners over Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and the cost of retrofitting.

53% of homeowners are unaware of their home’s EPC rating, and 62% admitted to having a low or no understanding of the system. Despite this, 68% of homeowners still think improving EPC ratings is a worthwhile investment, recognising the potential to save on energy bills and improve the value of their property.

The majority of homes in the UK are rated EPC D, with annual energy bills averaging £2,471, £723 more per year compared to EPC C rated homes.

BOOST PROPERTY VALUES

Retrofitting – the process of updating a building with new features or technology to improve its energy efficiency and sustainability – can boost property values by an average of 12%. This means homeowners benefit not only from lower energy bills, but also long-term increases in property value.

However, despite the potential cost savings, Atom’s research found that 44% of homeowners have undertaken or plan to undertake retrofitting, citing the upfront cost as a major barrier. The majority of homeowners (63%) believe that making improvements to their home through retrofitting would cost over £25,000. The government has already recognised this issue as it considers plans to subsidise the cost of fitting solar panels and batteries for millions of homeowners, as part of its ‘Warm Homes Plan’.

CLEAR INFORMATION

While 29 million British homes need retrofitting by 2050, homeowners struggle to find clear information about their EPC rating and improvement options, Atom bank says. This lack of accessible information often leads to an assumption of high costs, hindering retrofitting efforts.

For example, for the many homeowners in the UK who may be looking to move from an EPC D to a C, Atom’s retrofit tool indicated that this could actually be done for as little as £1,500, a 94% reduction from the £25,000 many assume it might cost.

“Atom has partnered with data firm Kamma to launch a Retrofit Explorer tool.”

To address the challenges and misconceptions around EPC ratings, Atom has partnered with data firm Kamma to launch a Retrofit Explorer tool. The tool helps homeowners to better understand their current EPC rating and offers a tailored plan for how it can be improved through retrofitting or other means. Once the plan has been generated, the tool then suggests local tradesmen who can carry out the work.

Atom’s research shows that a large number (44%) of homeowners would be more likely to retrofit their home if provided with a tailored plan and supplier suggestions, highlighting the need for better resources and guidance.

Unlike standard EPC information, the tool generates personalised retrofitting recommendations based on individual property needs. Homeowners can easily adjust their plan based on their budget, allowing them to lower the costs of the retrofitting work by as much as 67% when compared to standard suggested EPC certificate improvements alone.

It also provides estimates of energy savings achievable through recommended upgrades so homeowners can weigh up the benefit of the upgrades.

PERFECT TIME

Edward Twiddy, director of ESG at Atom bank, said: “Millions of homes could benefit from retrofitting, yet EPC ratings and the associated costs are widely misunderstood by homeowners.

“Part of the issue is that there is a current lack of information and guidance available on how to make improvements, which promotes inertia. As many of us face sub-zero temperatures, January is the perfect time for homeowners to consider how retrofitting can help them keep their homes warm while cutting energy costs.

“The launch of our new Retrofit Explorer tool makes it easy for homeowners to put together a tailored plan and for a relatively small amount of money they could save themselves hundreds of pounds a year in energy costs. Given that retrofitting homes to improve efficiency is a key part of the government’s plan to achieve the UK’s net-zero goals, we think tools like this will have an important role to play in helping homeowners on this journey.”