Research · UK Affordability Index
UK Heat Pump & Solar Affordability Index 2026
TL;DR
- 5 year snapshots: 2012–2026.
- Band C or better share moved from 39% to 65%.
- 85% of UK homes on mains gas (latest snapshot).
- Median UK heating cost: £738/yr.
- Regional breakdown + raw numbers below.
Headline trend — UK homes at EPC band C or better
Band C or better is the threshold that broadly maps to “heat-pump ready without significant fabric work”. The line below tracks the share of EPC lodgements rated C or better in each snapshot year.
Per-year national snapshot
EPC lodgements per snapshot year, with the headline metrics. Each row is the cohort of certificates lodged in that calendar year — not a cumulative current-state picture.
| Year | Lodgements | Band C+ | Band D+ | Median heating cost | Median floor area | Mains gas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,098,517 | 39.4% | 60.6% | £528 | 78 m² | — |
| 2016 | 1,490,828 | 35.9% | 64.1% | £656 | 82 m² | 85% |
| 2020 | 1,498,911 | 47.9% | 52.1% | £524 | 76 m² | 79% |
| 2024 | 1,640,037 | 60.5% | 39.5% | £820 | 77 m² | 82% |
| 2026 | 589,548 | 64.7% | 35.3% | £738 | 76 m² | 85% |
Regional breakdown — 2026
The same metrics by Government Statistical Service region code, latest snapshot year only. Ranked by share of band C+ lodgements descending.
| Region | Lodgements | Band C+ | Median heating cost | Mains gas | Dominant property type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 16,755 | 99.2% | £240 | 35% | Flat |
| E12000001 | 29,580 | 70.2% | £818 | 92% | House |
| E12000007 | 91,162 | 68.8% | £576 | 86% | Flat |
| E12000002 | 70,605 | 66.8% | £769 | 89% | House |
| E12000006 | 56,605 | 63.3% | £766 | 79% | House |
| E12000008 | 87,209 | 63.2% | £742 | 83% | House |
| W99999999 | 28,220 | 61.8% | £820 | 81% | House |
| E12000004 | 43,948 | 60.7% | £808 | 86% | House |
| E12000005 | 56,027 | 60.0% | £804 | 86% | House |
| E12000009 | 52,048 | 59.8% | £772 | 73% | House |
| E12000003 | 57,389 | 59.4% | £812 | 89% | House |
Methodology
The dataset is built from the full GOV.UK EPC Register bulk download — every domestic Energy Performance Certificate lodged in England and Wales. The snapshot years (default 2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, 2026) are processed independently: each row represents the cohort of certs lodged in that calendar year, not the cumulative state of UK housing.
Two consequences worth flagging:
- Sampling bias. EPCs are required at sale and new build, so the year cohort over-represents moving-house events. The dataset is the population of lodgements, not the population of UK homes.
- Definition drift. EPC methodology has changed across the period (RdSAP updates, age band re-labelling, glazing assessment refinements). Year-on- year comparisons are directionally robust; pixel-perfect comparisons are not.
Pipeline scripts: scripts/epc-bulk/.
Use this data
Cite this page when referencing the figures. The underlying EPC data is published under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (© Crown copyright). Press / research enquiries: contact page.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Find an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC Register) — accessed May 2026
- GOV.UK — EPC bulk download (technical documentation) — accessed May 2026
- Energy Saving Trust — Energy efficiency context — accessed May 2026
- Ofgem — Domestic energy price cap — accessed May 2026
EPC aggregate data contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (© Crown copyright and database right).