A new dataset created on the Exeter Data Mill shows the current and potential Energy Performance Certificate ratings of buildings in Exeter, providing useful insight to what needs to be done to achieve Exeter’s Net Zero Affordable Health Homes goal.

Affordable Healthy Homes is one of 12 goals in the Net Zero Exeter 2030 Plan and recognises that the energy efficiency of new and existing homes and buildings in the city must be improved in order to significantly reduce carbon emissions.

“Almost 40% of the UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions come from the way our buildings are heated and used. Even comparatively small changes in energy performance and the way a building is used will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption.” – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Improving energy efficiency would also help address the health effects suffered by those in Exeter living in cold, poorly ventilated homes, and wider social issues such as social isolation and people having to choose between heating their home or buying the food they need.

Amongst the Priority Actions called for in the Net Zero Exeter 2030 Plan are:

  • Enable retrofit of domestic homes across the city to achieve energy performance ratings of C+.
    Estimated carbon saved: 3378 tonnes per year
  • Retrofit council-owned properties using programmes such as EnergieSprong or equivalent.
    Estimated carbon saved: 1049 tonnes per year
  • Enforce private rental standards to ensure that all properties meet minimum energy performance ratings (A-E).
    Estimated carbon saved: 99 tonnes per year

The ‘Energy Performance of Building Data’ shared on the Exeter Data Mill suggests that, of the 35,200 homes in Exeter that have had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC’s) issued between January 2008 and September 2019, over 14,000 could benefit from the installation of energy efficiency measures. 

Other insights shared include the type of homes for which EPCs have been issued.

To find out more, visit ExeterDataMill.com