A leading property sector supplier is making the claim that virtually the whole of the housing sector would be able to help the government achieve its Energy Performance Certificate targets for homes.

The firm claims UK properties that have a valid EPC 55 per cent are below C and suggests if the owners were open to switch to low energy bulbs, install double glazed windows, additional insulation and changing to condensation boilers than 90 per cent of the homes would achieve an EPC C and higher rating.

Th firm appreciates that EPC data suggests these measures would achieve the desired effect in theory but there are other factors that need to be considered such as planning regulations on conservation areas, and of course having sufficient funds.

The report has found improvement costs to upgrade ratings is dependent upon the current rating of properties. Apparently the average cost of £39,381 for homes with a lowly G rating to upgrade an efficient C, which stands at around 11  per cent of the average current value of a property.

Apparently when homes change hands sales help to drive up standards, but as 1.1 million transactions were complected in 2022 and if this rate becomes the norm it will take 18 years to retrofit an estimated 20 million properties with EPCs below C.

A company spokesperson says: "In the quest for a more energy-efficient future, the path is marked with challenges. While 91.5 per cent of properties show potential to reach higher EPC ratings, the real question remains ‘how?’.

“With a significant percentage of homes lacking EPCs and a daunting task of upgrading millions from low bands to C, doubts linger on the industry's capacity to meet government targets. The hope for a sudden surge of change raises questions of sustainability, while the confidence in legislative timelines and the finite nature of the retrofit market pose substantial hurdles.