Is Energy Rating E Or F Better?

Energy efficiency ratings and labels for homes and appliances are designed to help consumers understand how much energy a product or home will use. Ratings range from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and are determined through standardized tests by government agencies or independent organizations. The ratings allow easy comparisons between models and can influence purchasing decisions as consumers aim for greater energy savings. Lower rated products or homes typically have higher energy bills and more environmental impact than higher rated ones. This article will provide an overview of energy ratings and specifically compare ratings E and F for homes.

Table of Contents

History of Energy Ratings

Energy ratings for appliances and homes were first introduced in the 1980s and 1990s as a way to help consumers understand how energy efficient a product or home is. They were developed in response to the energy crisis of the 1970s, when oil prices dramatically increased around the world.

Many countries introduced mandatory energy rating labels and minimum energy performance standards for appliances and buildings. For example, the EU introduced the energy ratings A-G scale for appliances in the 1990s. The UK and Australia adopted similar mandatory energy rating schemes.

The goal was to help consumers choose more efficient appliances and homes, thereby reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The familiar A-G rating scale made it easy for consumers to compare the energy efficiency of different models and properties when making purchasing decisions.

Rating Scale Overview

The energy efficiency rating scale for homes in the UK ranges from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient. This rating system was introduced in 2007 under the EU Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scheme.

Here’s a quick overview of what each rating means:

A – Extremely energy efficient. These homes produce very low CO2 emissions and running costs. Only the most recently built properties achieve this rating.

B – Very energy efficient. These homes have low CO2 emissions and energy bills. Newer builds from 2006 onwards often reach this standard.

C – Medium energy efficiency. Considered average for UK homes. Newer properties from around 2000 onwards tend to achieve this.

D – Less energy efficient than average. Costs for heating, hot water and lighting will be higher. Properties built around 1984-2000 may have this.

E – Much less efficient than average. Will have significantly higher energy bills. Likely for properties from pre-1984.

F – Extremely inefficient. Very high energy costs. Found in older properties built before 1965 when there were no insulation standards.

G – Extremely inefficient and costly to run. Reserved for properties such as converted barns or with no insulation. Very rare rating.

Rating E Properties

Properties with an E energy rating tend to be older buildings constructed with less focus on energy efficiency. These homes usually have very poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and older appliances, windows, and doors that allow heat to escape.

Some typical features of E rated properties include:

Minimal to no wall insulation
Single glazed windows with high heat loss

Old and inefficient boiler heating systems
Outdated appliances and electronics
Gaps and leaks allowing draughts

Lack of modern energy saving fixtures like thermostats or timer controls

As a result, E rated properties use a high amount of energy to maintain heat and power the home. They can be quite drafty and cold in winter. The average E rated home uses around 20% more energy than a modern D rated property.

Rating F Properties

Properties with an F energy rating are the least energy efficient homes. They typically have very poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and single-glazed windows.

F rated homes use a significant amount of energy for heating, cooling, and running appliances and lighting. It’s not uncommon for F rated properties to have energy bills that are 2-3 times higher than the average home.

Some typical features of F rated properties include:

Minimal insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors

Old and inefficient heating system like a 15+ year old gas boiler
Single glazed windows allowing heat loss
Halogen lighting instead of LEDs

No zoning – heating the entire house instead of occupied rooms
No up-to-date energy saving features installed

The poor energy efficiency and outdated systems mean F rated properties use a lot more energy than necessary. This has a significant impact on energy bills and carbon emissions.

Key Differences

The main distinctions between properties rated E and F on the energy efficiency scale primarily relate to energy costs, carbon emissions, and comfort levels.

Properties rated E use less energy than those rated F, leading to lower energy bills. An E rated property will save you around £200-300 per year compared to an F rated property of the same size and type.

In terms of carbon emissions, E rated properties produce approximately 3-4 tonnes less CO2 per year than F rated properties. This makes E rated homes more environmentally friendly.

E rated properties also tend to provide greater thermal comfort. They lose less heat through poor insulation and draughts. This means they can be warmer in winter and cooler in summer than F rated homes.

While E and F properties both require energy efficiency improvements, E rated homes are closer to a C rating than those rated F. The cost to upgrade may be lower, making E properties more appealing to environmentally conscious buyers.

Impact on Energy Bills

The energy efficiency rating of a property can have a significant impact on annual energy bills. Properties rated E and F are the least energy efficient, meaning they require more energy for heating, cooling, lighting, etc. This results in higher utility bills.

On average, a property rated E will have estimated annual energy costs around £2,500. Meanwhile, a property rated F can expect bills closer to £3,500 or more per year. That’s a difference of approximately £1,000 annually.

Several factors contribute to this gap in costs between E and F rated properties. Properties rated F tend to be poorly insulated, allowing heat to escape more readily. They often have outdated, inefficient heating/cooling systems as well. Lack of sufficient insulation and poor windows also lead to greater reliance on artificial lighting. All of these deficiencies require more energy consumption to maintain liveable temperatures and lighting.

Upgrading from an F to an E rating, through improvements like added insulation, new windows, or an upgraded heating system, can notably reduce annual energy costs. However, both E and F rated properties have significantly higher bills than more efficient homes. The best way to reduce energy costs is to improve the rating to C or higher, if possible.

Impact on Environment

When it comes to carbon emissions, properties with an E rating generally have higher emissions compared to those with an F rating. This is because appliances and heating systems in E rated properties tend to be older and less energy efficient. According to data, an average E rated home emits around 6 tonnes of CO2 per year through heating and power usage. In contrast, an average F rated property emits approximately 4.5-5 tonnes annually.

The key factors that contribute to this difference include:

Older boilers and heating systems in E rated homes which operate at lower efficiency levels, consuming more energy to heat the property.

Lack of modern insulation in walls, floors and lofts of E rated properties, resulting in greater heat loss and higher energy usage.
Outdated electrical appliances and lighting in E rated homes not designed for energy efficiency.
Newer F rated properties more likely to have modern building standards like double glazing, better insulation and efficient heating systems.

Therefore, while E rated homes are still very inefficient, F rated properties tend to be slightly better when it comes to carbon emissions and environmental impact.

Recommendations

If your home has an energy rating of E or F, there are steps you can take to improve its efficiency and reduce energy costs and emissions:

Upgrade insulation – Adding insulation in walls, floors and roof spaces reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Make sure to use properly certified insulation products.

Improve windows -Install double glazed windows or apply window film to reduce heat transfer through windows. Close curtains and blinds at night.

Seal air leaks – Use door snakes, weather strips and sealants around doors, windows and other openings to stop drafts and improve air tightness.

Upgrade appliances – Replace old, inefficient appliances like fridges, washing machines and heaters with energy efficient models. Look for the energy star rating.

Install solar power – Adding rooftop solar panels reduces reliance on grid electricity. Solar hot water systems also help by supplying some or all hot water needs.

Switch to LED lighting – LED lights use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent globes while lasting much longer.

With some upgrades and improved practices, it’s possible to achieve at least a 1-2 star improvement in energy rating. This leads to lower energy bills, smaller carbon footprint and increased home comfort.

Conclusion

In summary, the key differences between an E and F energy rating are:

E rated properties are more energy efficient than F rated properties
E ratings have lower energy bills, typically £200-£400 less per year than F ratings

E ratings have lower carbon emissions, around 0.5-1 tonnes less CO2 per year than F
E ratings meet minimum rental property standards, F ratings usually don’t

Based on these differences, an E rating is clearly better than an F rating. While an E rating is still inefficient compared to A-C ratings, it performs markedly better than F in terms of energy bills, carbon footprint, and meeting regulatory standards. Overall, E ratings provide a minimum level of efficiency and lower costs without the poorest environmental impact of an F rating. For these reasons, E is a superior energy rating to F in most cases.