Why energy efficiency standards have been introduced
These regulations have been introduced to address the following issues:
Public health
Poor energy efficiency in a person's home can lead to lower indoor temperatures in the winter months. Exposure to cold has been associated with increased winter deaths, risk of respiratory and circulatory conditions, cardiovascular problems, and arthritic and rheumatic illnesses; and can exacerbate existing health conditions, including common flu and cold, and allergies. An inadequate indoor temperature can also reduce injury from accidents as higher temperatures improve general safety, hand strength and dexterity. Cold living conditions can also affect mental health as cold homes can cause stress and anxiety.
Fuel poverty
There are 2.4 million households in fuel poverty across the country, over 10% of properties. The highest number is now in the owner-occupied sector with 51%, with only 47% of households in fuel poverty in receipt of means tested benefits. Private rented sector also tend to be deeper in fuel poverty, with an average fuel poverty gap of £334, compared to £175 for those in local authority housing.
It is also known that 52% of households living in F and G properties are classified as fuel poor, with an average fuel poverty gap of nearly £1,000. As there is a disproportionate share of the UK's least energy-efficient properties and fuel-poor households in the PRS by prioritising the enforcement of the PRS regulations to those in the deepest levels of fuel poverty we could really make a difference in the sector.
(reference BEIS committee on fuel poverty annual report June 2020)
Climate emergency
The private rented sector has doubled in size since 2002 in the UK and now accounts for around 20% of the UK's total housing stock. F and G rated properties waste energy. They impose unnecessary cost on tenants and they contribute to avoidable greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the energy efficiency of our PRS can significantly contribute to government and local targets for the reduction of carbon emissions.