Properties Should Meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards When Sold
The Government must implement essential minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) on homes to reduce emissions, increase energy security and permanently lower bills, urges the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE).
The trade association, which represents more than 160 organisations, has published a new report calling on policymakers to introduce regulations for 2026 that would require properties to meet minimum energy efficiency standards when sold.
A range of green financing options being available will enable homeowners to make the necessary upgrades. The ADE believes a further round of more advanced measures should be introduced in 2029 if initial regulation is successful.
Heat and Building Strategy aims to tackle these issues
The Government’s Heat and Building Strategy aims for most of the UK’s 17 million inefficient homes to be upgraded with energy efficiency by 2035, two-thirds of which are in the owner-occupied sector, a sector which has seen little progress to date.
It is crucial for the government to actively support an energy system that accelerates the rapid transition towards modern, energy efficient buildings – by doing so, it can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all
The ADE warns that this target will not be met unless the Government sets out clear regulatory standards, which will encourage upgrades that benefit homeowners, create jobs, support growth and drive investment in energy efficiency.
As it currently stands:
- Eight million lofts, five million cavity wall properties and nearly eight million solid wall properties currently remain uninsulated, cold and expensive.
- Deploying energy efficiency measures is essential to protecting the UK and its citizens against climate change, energy insecurity and high bills.
- Although the Government has subsidy schemes for vulnerable households, there is currently little policy in place to deploy energy efficiency measures across the wider housing market.
Policy experts call for minimum efficiency standards to be fast-tracked
Chris Friedler, Energy Efficiency Policy Manager at the ADE, said: “Implementing minimum energy efficiency standards on households at the point of sale will have a transformative impact on gas usage in the UK, thereby tackling climate change, enhancing energy security, and reducing bills. Moreover, the inclusion of green finance measures will empower households, requiring no upfront payments and with cost caps removing risk.
“The ADE is deeply committed to trailblazing innovative ideas to take the essential energy efficiency measures we urgently need to the next level. Energy efficiency represents an affordable pathway to achieving net zero targets.”
