This article is from Confused.com
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Energy Performance Certificate ratings are used to measure how energy efficient a building is, with grades from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
This data looks at how listed (protected due to historical or architectural value) and unlisted properties perform in terms of energy efficiency.
Listed buildings are further divided into Grade I (exceptional interest) and Grade II* (particularly important).
Listed buildings struggle with energy efficiency
| EPC rating | All unlisted | All listed | Grade I | Grade II* |
| A | 0.36% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.11% |
| B | 13.87% | 1.10% | 1.80% | 1.11% |
| C | 32.68% | 9.40% | 8.10% | 9.42% |
| D | 37.51% | 29.00% | 24.40% | 29.01% |
| E | 12.55% | 35.20% | 35.10% | 35.20% |
| F | 2.36% | 18.30% | 19.40% | 18.34% |
| G | 0.66% | 6.80% | 11.30% | 6.81% |
Looking at all unlisted buildings, most properties sit in the mid-range for energy efficiency. About 32.68% are rated C, and 37.51% are rated D, which covers around 70% of all buildings. These ratings reflect a decent level of energy efficiency, likely thanks to modern building practices and renovations that help balance comfort and efficiency.
But the situation changes when we look at listed buildings. In fact, a large chunk of listed buildings fall into the lower energy efficiency bands.
About 35.20% of listed buildings are rated E, compared to just 12.55% of unlisted buildings. An even more worrying 18.30% of listed buildings are rated F, compared to 2.36% of unlisted buildings. Lastly, 6.80% of listed properties are rated G – the worst rating – compared to only 0.66% of unlisted buildings.
Grade I buildings have a heavy presence of G-rated buildings, with 11.30% in this category. Interestingly, not a single Grade I building has an EPC rating of A.Only 1.10% of listed buildings reach a B rating, compared to 13.87% of unlisted ones.
Upgrading these buildings to modern energy standards is a large task. The reason for this gap is that listed buildings have limitations on what homeowners can change. For example, updating windows, walls, and roofs – key elements for improving energy efficiency – are often restricted.
| Heating type | % of all unlisted buildings | % of all listed buildings | Total Grade I buildings | % of Grade I buildings | Total Grade II* buildings | % of Grade II* buildings |
| Boiler and radiators, mains gas | 77.28% | 47% | 223 | 41% | 46572 | 47% |
| Boiler and radiators, oil | 2.83% | 27% | 128 | 24% | 26950 | 27% |
| Electric storage heaters | 5.03% | 7% | 50 | 9% | 6854 | 7% |
| Room heaters, electric | 4.60% | 3% | 17 | 3% | 3303 | 3% |
| Boiler and radiators, LPG | 0.56% | 3% | 15 | 3% | 2607 | 3% |
There’s a big contrast in heating methods between listed and unlisted homes.
Mains gas boilers and radiators dominate unlisted properties at an impressive 77.28%, but their prevalence drops to 47% in listed buildings. In Grade I structures, they account for 41%, while in Grade II* buildings, they rise to 47%. Conversely, oil heating enjoys a stronger presence in listed properties, representing 27% compared to a mere 2.83% in unlisted ones.
Electric storage heaters make up 5.03% of unlisted and 7% of listed buildings, room heaters powered by electricity account for 4.60% and 3%, respectively. LPG systems are hardly represented, at 0.56% for unlisted and 3% for listed buildings.
Overall, the data highlights the popularity of traditional heating methods, particularly mains gas and oil, across various building types.
Energy performance comparison of listed vs. unlisted buildings across regions
| Region | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| East Midlands | -0.23% | -13.28% | -21.95% | -11.60% | 23.39% | 17.22% | 6.46% |
| East of England | -0.35% | -13.87% | -24.75% | -9.68% | 23.57% | 18.70% | 6.38% |
| London | -0.12% | -14.14% | -14.23% | 5.57% | 16.44% | 5.21% | 1.28% |
| North East | -0.19% | -10.51% | -24.02% | -10.86% | 21.30% | 16.91% | 7.37% |
| North West | -0.09% | -10.63% | -21.69% | -8.44% | 18.77% | 14.88% | 7.20% |
| South East | -0.25% | -14.13% | -25.70% | -6.96% | 25.73% | 16.40% | 4.91% |
| South West | -0.58% | -13.46% | -23.37% | -7.05% | 22.44% | 15.40% | 6.61% |
| West Midlands | -0.30% | -11.38% | -20.32% | -12.75% | 18.97% | 16.92% | 8.87% |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | -0.25% | -9.73% | -19.30% | -8.04% | 19.63% | 12.50% | 5.19% |
On average 21% more listed buildings have an EPC rating of E compared to unlisted buildings. Making it the EPC rating with the biggest disparity between listed and unlisted.
London is the only area where listed buildings make up a higher percentage of D-rated buildings than unlisted ones.
For the elusive A-rated EPC, the North West is the closest in achieving a similar number of listed vs unlisted buildings in this category.
Overall, this underscores the difficulties listed buildings encounter in achieving high energy efficiency compared to unlisted ones across various regions.
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