Dataset Overview
This dataset provides Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data for every domestic property in a local authority area.
Where a property has an actual EPC on record, the certificate data is used directly. Where no EPC exists, key fields are inferred using postcode-level statistics and national housing stock archetypes so that every property has a complete energy profile.
Each property record includes its EPC rating, construction age band, main fuel type, insulation status for walls, roof and floor, premise area, and estimated energy costs. Every inferred value is clearly flagged so users can distinguish between actual certificate data and modelled estimates.
Figure 1: Green shows a higher-rated property (A-C), yellow and orange show lower-rated properties (D-G). The black stroke indicates an actual EPC record while a white stroke indicates inferred ratings.
Methodology
Building Data:
Building data is extracted from OS NGD Building and OS NGD Address data. Only domestic properties are included, filtered by building use. Property types are simplified into four categories used throughout the dataset: Detached, Semi-Detached, Terraced, and Self Contained Flat (Maisonettes and apartments are included under Self Contained Flat). Any other domestic property type outside these four is classified as "Other".
EPC Matching:
Each domestic property is matched to its corresponding EPC certificate record via UPRN matching. The EPC provides the property's energy rating (A to G), energy efficiency score, construction age band, tenure, main heating system, main fuel type, glazing type, wall/roof/floor construction and insulation details, floor area, and estimated energy costs.
Inferring Missing EPC Ratings, Main Fuel and Construction Age:
Where a property has no EPC certificate, the EPC rating and construction age band are inferred using the most common (modal) values from other EPC-assessed properties in the same postcode.
If the postcode itself has no EPC data or is recorded as "unknown", the value is taken from the nearest neighbouring postcode. Each field is flagged as either "Actual" (from a certificate) or "Inferred".
Inferring Insulation:
Insulation status is determined separately for four building elements: cavity wall, external wall, roof, and underfloor. Each is assigned one of three values: Insulated, Uninsulated, or Not applicable.
Where a property has an EPC certificate, insulation status is taken directly from the certificate. Where no EPC exists, or where the certificate does not provide sufficient detail, insulation status is inferred using national housing stock data from the Climate Change Committee (CCC).
This inference is based on the typical insulation profile for properties of a similar type, age, fuel type, and location. Each insulation field is flagged as "Actual" (from the EPC certificate) or "Inferred".
Assumptions
Where no EPC exists, the modal EPC rating and construction age band for the property's postcode is used as a proxy. If the postcode itself has insufficient data, the nearest neighbouring postcode value is used. This assumes that properties in the same or nearby postcodes share similar characteristics.
Insulation status inferred from CCC archetypes is based on the most common (highest stock) archetype for a given combination of property type, simplified age band, fuel type, and country. This is a statistical best estimate, not a property-specific assessment.
Sources
Fields
Field Name | Field Description |
UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number. |
Parent UPRN | Unique Property Reference Number immediately above in the building hierarchy. |
Type | UPRN Type Parent, Child or Shell. |
EPC Rating | The Energy Performance Certificate of the property. |
EPC Actual or Inferred | Indicates whether the building’s EPC data is based on an actual lodged certificate or inferred using a postcode-level average. |
Energy Efficiency Rating | A numerical rating based on cost of energy, i.e. energy required for space heating, water heating and lighting [in kWh/year] multiplied by fuel costs. (£/m²/year where cost is derived from kWh). |
Potential EPC Rating | The potential energy efficiency rating of the property, assuming all EPC recommendations are implemented. |
Construction Age Band | Age band in which the building is constructed. |
Age Actual or Inferred | Indicates whether the building’s construction age band is based on an actual lodged certificate or inferred using a postcode-level average. |
Premise Area (m^2) | Total floor area of the premise. |
Building Area (m^2) | The estimated building footprint area, used to plan under floor and roof insulation, from the building polygon. |
Wall Area (m^2) | The estimated external wall area of the property, derived from the building polygon and eaves height. |
Insulation - Cavity Wall | The state of Insulation - Cavity wall. |
Insulation - External Wall | The state of Insulation - External Wall. |
Insulation - Roof | The state of Insulation - Roof. |
Insulation - Under Floor | The state of Insulation - Under Floor. |
Heating Cost | Associated heating cost to the EPC Rating (£/year) |
Hot Water Cost | Associated hot water cost to the EPC Rating (£/year) |
Lighting Cost | Associated lighting cost to the EPC Rating (£/year) |
Estimated Energy Consumption [kWh/m^2] | Current estimated total energy consumption for the property in a 12 month period (kWh/m2). Displayed on EPC as the current primary energy use per square metre of floor area. |
Estimated Carbon Emissions [tonnes/year] | CO₂ emissions per year in tonnes/year. |
Main Heating System | Overall description of the property feature. |
Main Fuel | The type of fuel used to power the central heating e.g. Gas, Electricity |
Main Fuel Actual or Inferred | Indicates if the main fuel is actual (from EPC) or inferred based on proximity |
Glazing Type | The type of glazing. From British Fenestration Rating Council or manufacturer declaration, one of; single; double; triple. |
Date of Certificate | Date lodged on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register |
Tenure | Describes the tenure type of the property. One of: Owner-occupied; Rented (social); Rented (private). |
Cavity Wall Insulation Actual or Inferred | Indicates if the insulation is actual (from EPC) or inferred using CCC archetype |
External Wall Insulation Actual or Inferred | Indicates if the insulation is actual (from EPC) or inferred using CCC archetype |
Roof Insulation Actual or Inferred | Indicates if the insulation is actual (from EPC) or inferred using CCC archetype |
Under Floor Insulation Actual or Inferred | Indicates if the insulation is actual (from EPC) or inferred using CCC archetype |