About this dataset

This dataset provides figures for the number of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in each energy efficiency rating band for 10-year periods up to the financial year end. Band A is very energy efficient and Band G is very energy inefficient. The dataset covers lower layer super output areas (LSOAs), middle layer super output areas (MSOAs), local authorities, regions and countries.

This dataset provides figures for the number of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in each energy efficiency rating band for a 10-year period up to the financial year end shown. Band A is very energy efficient and Band G is very energy inefficient.

The dataset covers lower layer super output areas (LSOAs), middle layer super output areas (MSOAs), local authorities, regions and countries in England and Wales.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information on the energy efficiency of a building. Since 2007, an EPC is required when a building is constructed, sold or let and it is valid for 10 years. Our analysis includes the latest EPC lodgements for a 10-year period.

EPCs are based on data about a building's energy features (like the building materials used, heating systems and insulation, for example), which are collected by an accredited energy assessor and are entered into government-approved software to generate the EPC. These statistics were created using domestic, record-level EPC data published on Open Data Communities by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

This data does not reflect all dwellings in England and Wales because not every dwelling has an EPC. These are only required when a dwelling is constructed, sold or let. We also use a subset of available EPC lodgements, as we only keep records with plausible values on key energy efficiency variables. There can be multiple EPC lodgements for the same dwelling, but we only analyse the latest one so we do not double-count dwellings. A lodgement is essentially a record in the EPC register.

The individual EPC bands are calculated based on the energy efficiency scores at the time the EPC lodgement was assessed. This means that our statistics do not necessarily reflect energy efficiency improvements as most alterations don't require a new EPC.

For more information about this dataset please see:

• Energy efficiency of housing in England and Wales, and
• Energy efficiency of housing in England and Wales Quality and Methodology Information.

Contact: ONS Housing Analysis Team, email: better.info@ons.gov.uk

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