Lessons and resources for everyone
#WalesClimateWeek, 11-15 November 2024 provides an opportunity for climate decision-makers, stakeholders, community groups and people from across Wales to explore how together we can minimise the risk and prepare for the impacts of climate change, as well as capitalising on the links with climate mitigation
Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach
Energy efficiency doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach. This can overlook the unique needs and potential of properties where homes and buildings vary significantly in age, construction materials, location, and occupancy patterns, all of which influence their energy performance. By tailoring energy efficiency solutions, property owners are allowed to make improvements that align with a building’s specific characteristics, ensuring both effectiveness and cost-efficiency.
Balancing conservation with energy efficiency in listed and historic buildings
Despite a reputation for being draughty and inefficient, old houses were designed to work with their environment and can still do that well if properly repaired and maintained. To understand the performance of a particular building, and identify opportunities for improvement, owners and managers should consider all the factors that impact energy use and efficiency and remember that some retrofit measures may simple not be feasible.
Propertymark offers a wide range of resources to aid property professionals in meeting these energy efficiency goals. Our Comprehensive Guide to Energy Efficiency explores practical ways for agents to guide clients through energy-saving improvements, from insulating attics to selecting efficient heating systems.
Efficiency targets must be paired with funding for private landlords
Propertymark has been actively informing landlords on the evolving standards for Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in the rental market. Currently, all private rented sector properties with new tenancies must meet a minimum EPC rating of ‘C’ with existing tenancies to be brought up to a “C” rating by 2028. Our recent news article outlined a range of schemes aimed at making Energy Efficiency Improvements.
HUG2 offers off-grid energy upgrades to landlords and homeowners
Phase two of the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) is a UK Government-funded scheme for properties in England that are not connected to the gas grid. £630 million has been allocated to Local Authorities to provide energy efficient upgrades and low carbon heating to eligible households between April 2023 and March 2025.
Our research indicates that simple upgrades, such as installing double-glazed windows or modern heating systems, can make a significant difference in EPC ratings, which, in turn, positively impacts rental income and tenant satisfaction. However, Propertymark continues to urge governments across the UK to consider offering further green grants and incentives to help landlords meet these targets.
Introducing property passports
Beyond rental properties, Propertymark also supports homeowners across the UK. Research undertaken in 2023 showed 37% of all EPCs are wrong, a huge problem for housing stock.
To tackle this, Propertymark has suggested introducing a property passport system. Through the digital passport, Information would be transferable across building owners and help maintain the sight of a long-term decarbonisation goal for the building. This process would not replace EPCs, but enhance them, creating an opportunity to capture EPC data digitally and add to it with other data over time.
A Property Passport would also provide detailed guidance on the actions required, and already undertaken, to improve the property, based on building fabric and operational data helping building owners and occupiers make decisions to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Continuing to champion sustainability in property
In 2023 Propertymark alongside other organisations gave evidence to the UK Government that funding available through the boiler upgrade scheme was inadequate compared to the overall costs of retrofitting. Subsequently, the grant provided by the Scheme was increased in September 2023 from £5,000 to £7,500. By collaborating with policymakers, stakeholders and community groups we are working to ensure that property professionals in Wales and across the UK have the support needed to meet energy efficiency goals.
Energy efficiency targets for PRS to be reintroduced
Ed Miliband, MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, has confirmed to Propertymark that rented homes will be required to meet EPC C by 2030. The UK Government will continue to develop incentives, such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme, to provide funding through installers, energy companies, and other bodies.
