National conveyancing solicitors Bird & Co have calculated an Efficiency-to-Price Ratio, identifying the top areas in England and Wales where homebuyers can achieve maximum value for energy-efficient living.
A new study has revealed the best places in the UK to find homes that are both energy-efficient and affordable — a win-win for buyers looking to save money and reduce their environmental impact.
Using official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Gov.uk, researchers created a simple score by comparing each area’s average Energy Efficiency Score to its average house price. This gave a clear picture of where buyers can get the most energy-efficient homes for their money.
Not surprisingly, several London boroughs — including Tower Hamlets, the City of London, Salford, Greenwich, and Newham — scored well on energy efficiency. But their high property prices meant they offered less value overall.
On the other hand, 10 areas across the UK stood out for offering great energy performance at a much lower cost:
- Kingston upon Hull
- Burnley
- Hyndburn
- Middlesbrough
- County Durham
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Sunderland
- Hartlepool
- Blackpool
- Blaenau Gwent
Kingston upon Hull claimed the top spot. With an average house price of £132,719 and an Energy Efficiency Score of 68, it offers one of the best combinations of affordability and sustainability in the UK housing market.
Experts believe part of Hull’s success comes from years of investment in energy-saving programmes. Between 2013 and 2024, over 17,000 energy efficiency measures were installed in homes across the area through schemes like:
- The Carbon Savings Community Obligation (5,007 measures)
- The Affordable Warmth Scheme (9,323 measures)
- The Energy Company Obligation (17,478 total measures)
While these schemes were mainly aimed at helping low-income households, their wide reach has helped improve the overall quality and efficiency of homes in the area.
So, if you’re looking for a home that’s both eco-friendly and budget-friendly, Kingston upon Hull — along with several other towns in the North of England and Wales — may be well worth a closer look.
Daniel Chard has said, “It’s fascinating to see that the top-performing areas for energy efficiency value are concentrated in the North of England, particularly in Yorkshire and the North East, as well as select parts of Wales like Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent.
“These locations achieve a strong balance between low house prices and commendable energy efficiency scores.
“The North’s traditionally lower property prices – ranging between £126,000 and £141,000 in our top ten – reflect broader economic conditions, such as limited wage growth, which have kept housing costs down even amid efforts to improve energy standards.
“Additionally, government-backed schemes have likely had a tangible effect in these lower-income regions. Much of the local housing stock, particularly in the North, consists of older Victorian terraced properties, which have been prime targets for retrofitting through initiatives.”
