Three in five homes in Carlisle have poor energy efficiency ratings, figures show, as campaign groups warn of rising fuel poverty as winter looms.

Analysis of energy efficiency ratings by the Office of National Statistics shows 60% of houses had a ranking of "D" or below as of March 2021 – the latest figures – meaning they are likely to be worse impacted by the rising cost of fuel.

Energy Performance Certificates show how effective a home is at keeping heat in – with ratings from A (the most efficient) to G – the least, meaning residents have to spend more on energy bills to keep their homes warm.

And separate figures from charity Friends of the Earth show, as of August, 18% of dwellings in Carlisle did not have their lofts insulated, and 14% were without cavity wall insulation – equivalent to 9,600 and 7,500 homes respectively.

Low-income households in Cumbria are eligible for a free grant of up to £25,000 to improve their energy efficiency in their homes.

The sustainable warmth fund Cumbria will help people install new energy efficient products into their homes to help keep their houses warmer and lower their energy bills.

Measures that will be funded by the grant include both external and internal wall insulation, roof insulation, air source heat pumps, smart heating controls and updating windows from single glazing to double glazing.

But despite the sustainable warmth fund and the Prime Minister’s announcement that energy bills will not be raised above £2,500 a year for the average household, there are still fears of a sharp increase of fuel poverty.

The End Fuel Poverty Coalition estimates that 6.9 million households across the UK will suffer fuel poverty this winter and the latest figures from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy estimate there were over 7,000 households in Carlisle suffering from fuel poverty in 2020 – before the cost-of-living crisis.

 

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