Quick check all households can make as some pay up to £340 extra on energy bills
01.04.2024 - 14:37
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Research has found that some households are paying up to £340 more on their energy bills because their homes are not insulated well enough.
In the UK, whether you are a tenant or a homeowner, your house will have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which tells you how energy efficient the property is. Checking this could show you whether you are one of millions of people living in a home that costs more to heat.
People living in poorly insulated homes are paying roughly 50 per cent more on heating than those living in properties that meet government environmental targets, the research has found.
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Analysis from the Energy and Climate Change Intelligence Unit (ECIU) found the average annual gas bill will be around £340 higher per year for homes with an EPC score of F, even with the new energy price cap, which comes into effect from today (April 1).
Homes with an F on their EPC rating are among the leakiest homes in the country, with the heat generated inside the property by its gas boilers escaping almost as quickly as it is made. Compared to reasonably well-insulated C-rated homes, anyone living in these properties will pay half as much again just to keep their homes warm.
You can check EPC ratings for domestic properties online by searching your postcode on gov.uk here. Properties get a rating from A (best) to G (worst) and a score. The better the rating and score, the lower your energy bills are likely to be.
ECIU energy analyst Jess Ralston said: “For millions living in cold, leaky homes, insulation is crucial for lowering bills. But with energy independence remaining a top concern for the public and politicians