Jun 28, 2023

Data expert Dashly has called on brokers and lenders to do more to improve awareness of green mortgages. This follows publication of its latest data, which shows the average cost for UK homeowners to improve their energy performance certificate ratings (EPC) stands at £13,981.87. The government has specified that all homes should reach at least EPC band C by 2035. The average cost to make these enhancements on a London property, where carbon emission scores are highest, is £14,589.80. The current average rating is 62 points, (where emissions are 4.07 CO2), but this could be reduced to 2.04 CO2 (80 points and band C) with the right works carried out. The data shows that the average UK home currently has an EPC rating of 66 points, or band D. With the right work carried out, this could be increased to 84 points (band B). Properties in Scotland were found to have the highest current EPC emissions at 6.33 CO2, with the highest costs to improve this estimated at £18,046.35. The lowest EPC emissions were found in the East Midlands and West Midlands where both regions show EPC ratings at 3.49 CO2. The lowest expenditure required to reach the 2035 guidelines is in the South West, at £13,565.02. The EPC survey highlights the key areas of the property that need including, for example, adding cavity wall insulation or getting a condensing boiler. With over 15m properties in the UK needing to improve their EPC ratings, the findings highlight the importance of getting properties performing more efficiently. Many lenders are already offering green mortgages, which rewards people for having an energy efficient home, to solve the problem. Some of the benefits include lower borrowing rates for those who take steps to lower the emissions, as well as money towards making energy improvements to their homes. There is also mounting pressure on the property industry from the FCA to reiterate the growing role that green mortgages have to play in decarbonising the UK’s housing stock. Dashly chief operating officer, Martin Leonard, says: “We all need to step up and do our bit for the environment, but making these adjustments to your home can be costly. “The mortgage industry needs to do its bit to ensure homeowners are aware of the existence and possibilities of green mortgages. “Up until now, green mortgages have attracted very little attention, but cheaper borrowing rates in a difficult environment could help raise awareness of the benefits of energy efficient homes. “EPC ratings have a role to play but the reality is that they mean very little to the average homeowner. “People want to know how the rating impacts them in pounds and pence and what they can do about it.” Leonard adds that Dashly expect to see an increase in green mortgage products in the coming months as the need to save costs becomes even greater. “Lenders and brokers should be offering green mortgages as standard by now,” he says. “Those that do will offer their customers, and the planet, better outcomes 2023-06-28