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Energy used to heat and run homes makes up nearly a third of all energy consumed in the UK, up from a quarter of all energy used in 1970. In fact, according to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) recent Housing Energy Fact File 2011, more energy is used for energizing homes than is used to keep UK industry running.

Though the average household size in the UK has fallen since 1970, the number of houses has actually increased, thereby pushing the energy use for housing up 17 pct in the past 40 years. In addition to carbon emissions and energy generation trends, the report also provides information on other topics. Here are a few of the highlights:

• The real price of electricity has risen by more than 25 pct since 1970, with a two-thirds jump in prices since 2003.
• The proportion of household income spent on energy has fallen from 6 pct in 1970 to 4 pct today.
• Though the 10 pct most wealthy households overall spend more on energy, it accounts for only 2.7 pct of their household expenses; compare that to the poorest 10 pct of households that spend 8.4 pct on energy.
• Flats and detached housing have become much more popular compared to semi-detached and terraced homes, creating more homes and more external wall space, thereby increasing energy consumption.
• Nearly two-thirds of housing stock in the UK have insufficient insulation.
• A home with central heating uses twice as much energy for heating as a home with heating only in the living room.
• Carbon emissions from electricity have fallen by nearly a quarter since 1970.
• Oil has fallen from providing a fifth of Britain’s electricity to 2 pct now.
• Natural gas now generates nearly two-fifths of the country’s electricity, compared to only a fraction in 1970.

The Fact File was researched and published with the aim to support informed decision making when it comes to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions. It relies on a variety of data sources, including:

• English Housing Survey/English House Condition Survey
• GfK Home Audit
• Digest of UK Energy Statistics
• Building Research Establishment Housing Model for Energy Studies (BREHOMES)

Initiatives to increase the efficiency of homes through improved insulation, double-glazing on windows, and efficient heating systems can continue to make a great difference to the energy efficiency of homes. We look forward to seeing more of these improvements in the UK housing stock with the launch of the Green Deal next fall.