Research by boiler purchasing company BOXT examined EPC gradings for houses across the country, based on data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Data showed that the most energy-efficient homes could be found in Tower Hamlets in London, which was far in front with 73% of properties rated as energy efficient.

The City of London (not to be confused with the whole London conurbation area) was not far behind with 63% of properties with a good level of energy efficiency.

Pendle in the North West was found to have the least energy-efficient homes in the country, with just 20% of properties with EPCs at Band C and above.

Gwynedd in North Wales at 22% and Burnley, Blackpool and Castle Point in south Essex followed close behind with 23% of properties rated Band C and above.

EPC ratings go from A-G, with A being the best and G being the worst.

What about Oxfordshire?

Oxfordshire, like other areas of the UK, has a housing stock grouped around the middle ratings of C–E, which account for over 75% of the total in Oxfordshire (Pathways to a zero carbon Oxfordshire 2021).

For perspective, The UK has some of the least energy-efficient housing in Europe (Source: The Conversation).

Figures collected by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in February 2022 showed 56% of homes in South Oxfordshire had an EPC rating of Band D or lower in 2020-21.

Figures from Friends of the Earth showed, as of August 2022, 17 per cent of dwellings in Cherwell did not have their lofts insulated, and 12 per cent were without cavity wall insulation – equivalent to 11,200 and 8,400 homes respectively (Source: Oxford Mail).