Forest of Dean sees 60 per cent plunge in A-rated homes, new study reveals

Fewer Forest of Dean properties achieve top energy-efficiency ratings, study finds

A new study tracked the changes in the Forest of Dean's EPC ratings, comparing the data from Q2 2025 with Q2 2026.

A-rated lodgements decreased by 59.7 per cent, and B-rated lodgements decreased by 14.3 per cent.

C-rated lodgements increased by 7.5 per cent.

A new study, conducted by Property Buyers Today, analysed EPC lodgements to reveal how energy efficiency in the Forest of Dean has changed between Q2 2025 and Q2 2026. The Forest of Dean saw 601 EPC lodgements in Q2 2026, down from 633 in Q2 2025, which is a decrease of 5.1 per cent. In the Forest of Dean, the number of EPC lodgements receiving an A rating dropped from 67 to 27, which is a decrease of 59.7 per cent. B-rated EPC lodgements also fell from 98 to 84, a decrease of 14.3 per cent. When A and B ratings are combined, the number of EPC lodgements receiving an A or B rating fell from 165 to 111, a decrease of 32.7 per cent. C-rated lodgements increased from 201 to 216, which is a 7.5 per cent increase. D-rated lodgements also rose from 157 to 183, an increase of 16.6 per cent. E-rated lodgements fell by 11.5 per cent, from 78 to 69. F-rated lodgements fell by 21.7 per cent, from 23 to 18, while G-rated lodgements fell by 55.6 per cent, from nine to four. Overall, the Forest of Dean's energy efficiency picture shifted away from the highest EPC ratings, with A and B-rated lodgements accounting for around 18 per cent of the total in Q2 2026, compared with around 26 per cent in Q2 2025. While fewer properties received the lowest G rating, the rise in C and D-rated lodgements and sharp fall in A-rated lodgements points to a less energy-efficient overall mix.

Forest of Dean's energy efficiency changes: Q2 2025 vs Q2 2026

| Quarter | Number of Lodgements | A rating | B rating | C rating | D rating | E rating | F rating | G rating | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 2025/2 | 633 | 67 | 98 | 201 | 157 | 78 | 23 | 9 | | 2026/2 | 601 | 27 | 84 | 216 | 183 | 69 | 18 | 4 |

Saif Derzi, Founder of Property Buyers Today, commented on the findings:

"Although fewer properties in the Forest of Dean were recorded at the bottom of the scale, there was a much smaller number that achieved an A or B rating, which is a more significant change.

"This could be a sign that the properties that are being assessed are increasingly clustering around the middle of the EPC scale rather than making the larger improvements that are needed to reach the highest ratings. For homeowners, this shows how upgrades that move a property from a D or C rating towards the top of the scale can make a meaningful difference to its long-term energy efficiency and appeal."

ENDS

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Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/energy-performance-of-building-certificates-in-england-and-wales-april-to-june-2026/energy-performance-of-buildings-certificates-statistical-release-april-to-june-2026-england-and-wales

Methodology: Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates data for England and Wales was used for this release. Data from Q2 2025 and Q2 2026 were compared to identify changes in energy efficiency across each location.

Full data is available upon request.