Energy Performance Certificate
3 Holystone Close
DH4 5LE
HOUGHTON LE SPRING
Current
F
35
Potential
B
86
This F-Rated Property Costs Significantly More to Run
This Property
£3,704
estimated per year
UK Average
£1,800
per year
After Improvements
£1,227
potential per year
This property costs approximately £1,904 more per year than the UK average. Recommended improvements could save up to £2,477 annually.
⚖️ Landlord Legal Compliance — Action Required
This F-rated property does not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Since April 2020, landlords cannot legally let properties rated F or G without a valid registered exemption. Fines of up to £30,000 apply. Immediate improvements are required to reach at least an E rating.
💰 Government Grants Available for This Property
🏛️ BUS Grant
£7,500
Off the cost of an air source heat pump. Available now — limited places.
Check Eligibility →🏠 ECO4 Scheme
Free
Free insulation & heating upgrades for eligible households on benefits or low income.
Check Eligibility →📉 0% VAT
Save ~20%
Zero VAT on heat pumps, insulation, and solar panels until 2027. Applies automatically.
Get Solar Quote →How to Improve This F-Rated Property
With the right upgrades, this property could reach a B rating — saving up to £2,477 per year. Improvements are ranked by return on investment.
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💰 Save £5,372/year
With 3 selected upgrades
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Your Savings Today
£5,372/yr
£53,720 over 10 years
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£5,372/yr
£53,720 over 10 years
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Air Source Heat Pump
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Why Does This Property Have a F Rating?
This semi-detached house is located in HOUGHTON LE SPRING, DH4 5LE. The property offers 72m² (775 sq ft) of modest-sized living space with 3 habitable rooms. It is a post-war property from the mid-20th century. Currently rated F (35/100) for energy efficiency, this property would benefit significantly from energy improvements. With recommended improvements, it could achieve a B rating (86/100). The property has good loft insulation, though topping up to the recommended 270mm depth could provide additional energy savings. Double glazing is installed, though the efficiency rating suggests older units. Modern low-E double glazing can be up to 40% more efficient than units installed before 2002. Estimated annual energy costs are £3704, comprising £2831 for heating, £756 for hot water, and £117 for lighting. The property produces 5.2 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is moderate for a UK home. The property last sold in April 2024 for £85,000, with 2 recorded sales in our database. IMPORTANT FOR LANDLORDS: With an EPC rating of F, this property does not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Since April 2020, landlords cannot legally let properties rated F or G without registering a valid exemption. Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to £30,000. Immediate improvements are required to bring the property to at least an E rating.
Energy Efficiency Rating
📊 Official EPC Register DataCurrent Rating
Achievable Rating
With recommended improvements
Based on assessment dated 30 Aug 2023
What's Causing the Poor Energy Rating?
The EPC assessor rated each element of this property. Poor and average ratings are the biggest opportunities for improvement.
🧱 Walls
Cavity wall, filled cavity
🏗️ Roof
Pitched, 150 mm loft insulation
🪟 Windows
Fully double glazed
📦 Floor
Suspended, no insulation (assumed)
🔥 Heating
Room heaters, electric
🚿 Hot Water
NaN
💡 Lighting
100.0% low energy — Low energy lighting in all fixed outlets
Property Information
Full Address
3 Holystone Close
DH4 5LE
HOUGHTON LE SPRING
Property Type
House
Semi-Detached
Construction Age
England and Wales: 1950-1966
Floor Area
72.0 m²
3.0 total rooms
CO₂ Emissions
5.2 tonnes/year
73 kg/m²
Energy Consumption
433 kWh/m²/year
F-Rated Properties in HOUGHTON LE SPRING
HOUGHTON LE SPRING properties with F ratings are among the least energy efficient in the area. Properties in this postcode district (DH4) that have undergone improvement works have seen significant increases in EPC ratings and corresponding reductions in energy bills.
Location & Nearby Area
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Annual Running Costs — Current vs Potential
🔥 Heating
Room heaters, electric
£2831 /yr
Save £1895/yr with improvements
🚿 Hot Water
£756 /yr
Save £582/yr with improvements
💡 Lighting
100.0% low energy
£117 /yr
💷 Sales History
Note: EPC improvements typically add 3–5% per band to property value. Moving from F to B could add significant value.
£85,000
S
Apr 2024
£85,000
S
Nov 2023
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Nearby Schools
Within 3 miles of this property
Newbottle Primary Academy
PrimaryLast inspected: May 2022
Burnside Academy Inspires
PrimaryLast inspected: Jun 2019
Dubmire Primary
PrimaryLast inspected: Sept 2019
Kepier
SecondaryLast inspected: Mar 2022
Shiney Row Primary School
PrimaryLast inspected: Jun 2022
Woodlea Primary School
PrimaryLast inspected: Jan 2019
Bournmoor Primary School
PrimaryLast inspected: Jul 2019
Bernard Gilpin Primary School
PrimaryLast inspected: Sept 2022
About school ratings: Ofsted ratings range from Outstanding to Inadequate. These ratings are based on inspections of teaching quality, leadership, pupil behavior, and safety. Note that school catchment areas vary - check with the school or local council for admission details.
Data source: School information from Get Information About Schools (GIAS). Distances are approximate. Always verify school catchment areas directly with the school or local education authority.
Broadband & Connectivity
Average download speed: 500 Mbps
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Available Providers
What do these speeds mean? 10-30 Mbps: Good for browsing and streaming. 30-100 Mbps: Great for multiple users and HD streaming. 100-300 Mbps: Excellent for 4K streaming and gaming. 300+ Mbps: Perfect for large households and heavy internet use.
Data source: Broadband speeds are from Ofcom Connected Nations 2025 report (July 2025 release). Data shows typical speeds available in this postcode area. Actual speeds at this specific property may vary depending on line quality, distance from exchange, and chosen provider. Always verify availability with providers before committing.
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More Properties in DH4 5LE
Showing properties in the same postcode. Click to view detailed EPC data for each property.
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All properties in DH4 • Click to view detailed energy performance data
About this EPC: Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years and are required when a property is built, sold, or rented.
Data Sources: UK Energy Performance Certificate Register, HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, Police.uk crime statistics.
Public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.