The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has released a study that finds private rented sector homes are the least efficient users of energy. The worst offenders in the study emit more than five times as much carbon as the average UK home. There was one bright note, however: the number of least energy-efficient homes is on the way down.
In the study, the EST surveyed those homes in England rated an F or G on energy performance certificates (EPC). From 2006 to 2008, the percentage of homes rated F or G fell from 22 per cent to 17 per cent. The EST found, however, that homes rated in those bands were twice as prevalent in the private rented sector compared to other homes. The worst offenders in the G band can produce more than 22 tonnes of carbon in a year, more than five times the output of the average home in the UK, at five tonnes.
The worst offenders tend to be large old homes in which little money has been invested. Old heating systems, combined with the use of older fuels, mean the cost of upgrading these properties to get them into higher-rated bands can exceed £5,000. Many such homes are in the private sector. Fortunately for landlords, grants are available to help cover the cost of such improvements.
The Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance is a tax allowance that lets landlords claim back as much as £1,500 against tax per year on every rented property. The allowance can go towards energy saving products like insulation. Things are much better for many homes, however. It costs less than £3,000 to improve most homes currently rated in the F and G bands to get their carbon output down to the average of five tonnes per year.
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