AROUND 60 per cent of private rental homes in Barnsley have failed to meet the government standard for energy efficiency.
All properties in Britain receive an EPC rating when they are sold or rented, from A down to G, which judges how well they preserve energy.
New data from the ONS shows only 40 per cent of private rental properties with a rating in Barnsley were rated C or above in the year to March.
The average rating of all eligible private rental properties in the area was 65, equivalent to band D.
Friends of the Earth called for more financial support for those who can’t afford to upgrade their homes.
Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, said there was an ‘urgent need’ for the government to publish its Warm Homes Plan.
“This vital blueprint for upgrading the nation’s homes must ensure that no one, regardless of income or housing tenure, lives in a cold and damp home,” he added.
“Cold homes cost the UK tens of billions of pounds each year in NHS costs and reduced productivity due to ill health - clearly they’re a huge own goal for public health, the economy and our climate.”
He called on the government to invest £6bn per year for the next decade to ‘end the scourge of cold homes once and for all’.
Of eligible properties in Barnsley, 36 per cent of privately-owned homes and 45 per cent of social rented properties were rated as a band C or above.
Across all properties with a rating in the area, the average rating was 67, which is equivalent to band D.
This was the same as the average rating across Yorkshire and The Humber.
Peter Smith, director of policy at fuel poverty charity National Energy Action, said many households have been badly affected by the ongoing energy crisis because their homes have poor energy efficiency.
“For households on the lowest incomes, having to spend more on simply staying warm is having a huge impact,” he added.
“The government’s Warm Homes Plan must commit significant funds to energy efficiency schemes to make homes warmer, starting with the worst first.”
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “The energy shocks of recent years have shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes.
“Over one million households are set to be lifted out of fuel poverty through the biggest potential boost to home energy standards in history.
“Our Warm Homes Plan will transform homes across the country by making them cheaper and cleaner to run, rolling out upgrades from new insulation to solar and heat pumps.
“Low-income homeowners and private tenants are also being supported to make energy performance and clean heating upgrades.”
Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis told the Chronicle: “As we approach winter, it’s clear there’s more work to be done to improve the energy efficiency of homes locally.
“The government recognises this challenge which is why a Warm Homes Plan will soon be launched to improve the energy efficiency of millions homes over the coming years - including thousands locally.
“As part of the drive to increase the energy efficiency of properties, we must ensure that local landlords and homeowners are accessing the grants and funding available for vital improvements like insulation and low-carbon heating.
“This is something that I know Barnsley Council are working incredibly hard to do.
“It isn’t just about the comfort of a property - it’s about tackling fuel poverty, cutting bills, and doing our bit for the environment.”
