Leading Local Authorities in energy efficient social housing

• Exeter leads with the highest average Energy Efficiency Score of 75.6 for social housing in England and Wales
• 14% of Exeter’s social properties are rated A for energy efficiency
• Stirling tops Scotland with an average EPC score of 82.69 for social housing
• The Passivhaus standard is increasingly adopted in UK social housing projects
• Making your home more energy efficient can help lower your energy bills as well as comparing cheaper energy deals

As the push for sustainability grows, new research from Uswitch energy highlights the top local authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland for energy-efficient social housing. This report showcases their average EPC scores and the percentage of A-rated properties, underscoring efforts to provide affordable, energy-efficient homes for tenants.

Table 1: Top ten local authorities in England and Wales ranked by Energy Efficiency Score for social housing Source: Uswitch.com

Exeter leads with the highest average EPC rating of 75.6 for social housing, followed closely by Rochford and Peterborough at 75.0 and 74.9, respectively. These areas highlight a strong push for energy efficiency in social housing. Monmouthshire, Flintshire, and Torfaen, all scoring around 74.4, continue this trend, showing a commitment to sustainable housing solutions.

Other regions, including North Somerset, Oadby and Wigston, Gravesham, and Luton, with ratings between 73.6 and 74.2, also prioritise energy efficiency. These local authorities are enhancing housing stock to reduce energy use, lower utility costs for tenants, and contribute to climate action efforts.

Table 2: Top ten local authorities with the highest percentage of A-rated EPC social housing stock in England and Wales. Source: Uswitch.com

To achieve an A-rated EPC (Energy Performance Certificate), a property must have high insulation levels, an efficient heating system, and low carbon emissions, often incorporating renewable energy sources. This rating indicates that the home uses minimal energy for heating and has a reduced environmental impact, making it an excellent choice for energy efficiency.

Among the areas rated with an EPC score of A, Exeter stands out with the highest percentage of social properties achieving this top rating, at 13.78%. This is a significant proportion, with 388 properties in total falling under the A category. Other notable areas with strong A ratings include Oadby and Wigston (11.15%) and Isle of Anglesey (7.97%), both of which show impressive percentages of their social properties classified as A. Additionally, Ceredigion, Powys, and Pendle also contribute to the list of areas performing well, though at slightly lower rates. These areas reflect a trend of increasing energy efficiency in social housing, which is crucial for reducing carbon footprints and providing more affordable living for tenants.

Table 3: Top ten local authorities in Scotland ranked by Energy Efficiency Score for social housing. Source: Uswitch.com

In Scotland, several local authorities are making strides in improving the energy efficiency of their social housing, as reflected in their EPC ratings. Stirling stands out with an average rating of 82.69, suggesting a strong commitment to energy efficiency in its social housing stock. Following closely are Aberdeenshire and Glasgow City with average ratings of 77.02 and 75.13, respectively, representing a significant portion of the social housing market, with Glasgow City having over 30,000 properties in its EPC sample. Other notable areas include Falkirk (74.60) and West Dunbartonshire (73.90), both demonstrating considerable efforts to improve energy performance.

Passivhaus and social housing projects

Passivhaus is a stringent standard for energy-efficient buildings that emphasises low energy use and minimal environmental impact. It features high-quality insulation, airtight construction, and efficient heating and ventilation systems. Local authorities and housing associations are increasingly adopting the Passivhaus standard in social housing to create affordable, sustainable homes that reduce running costs and carbon emissions.

Key projects include:

• Exeter City Council Housing Development Programme
• London Borough of Hounslow Housing Masterplan
• Midlothian Council Housing Programme
• Phoenix Community Housing Projects (Lewisham/Bromley)
• Salford’s Greenhaus Project
• Portsmouth City Council Housing Development Projects
• Cambridge City Council Housing Development Project
• Ongoing efforts in Westminster, York, and Deptford Landings (Lewisham, Plot 6)

With Exeter already ranked at the top for social housing energy efficiency, the city is further enhancing its commitment by creating 35 new Passivhaus council homes.

Ben Galizzi, Uswitch energy expert, comments:

“The latest research shows that local authorities are making great progress in improving energy efficiency in social housing. With rising energy costs and a growing need for sustainable living, it’s fantastic to see places like Exeter leading the way with high EPC scores and the creation of Passivhaus homes.

“These efforts not only help tenants save on their energy bills but also play an important part in reducing our carbon footprint and tackling climate change.

“If you’re looking to make your own home more energy-efficient, now is a great time to explore options such as better insulation or energy-efficient appliances. For more tips on how to make your home more energy-efficient, check out Uswitch’s guide on home insulation.”

Methodology & Sources

• EPCs – England and Wales: https://epc.opendatacommunities.org/
• EPCs – Scotland: https://www.scottishepcregister.org.uk/
• Passivhaus: https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/
• Social Housing Decarbonisation Statistics      https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/social-housing-decarbonisation-fund-statistics-november-2024

EPC data for each local authority was sampled using certificates issued in the past 5 years.

Where properties had multiple certificates issued only the most recent was used.

Data was filtered to only include properties with a tenancy listed as social housing and included certificates issued for the 5 years after 31st Jan 2025.

The Isle of Scilly was omitted from E&W data as less than 50 certificates were issued in the last 5 years.

Note that Scotland’s data is not directly comparable with England & Wales as the 2 schemes use different methodologies.

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