THE FOREST of Dean has seen a sharp drop in EPC A-rated homes, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by Property Buyers Today, analysed EPC lodgements to reveal how energy efficiency in the Forest of Dean changed between Q2 in 2025 and Q2 in 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.

Saif Derzi, Founder of Property Buyers Today, said: "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.”

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.

Property Buyers Today believes while fewer properties received the lowest G rating, the rise in C and D-rated lodgements, along with a sharp fall in A-rated lodgements, points to a less energy-efficient overall mix.

An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating measures how energy efficient a property is on a scale from A, being the most efficient, to G being the least efficient.

EPCs are legally required when you are looking to sell, rent or build a new home, and they include recommendations to improve energy efficiency.

The certificate is valid for ten years from the date of its issue, however if you do any work on the house during that time, you may need a new one as the rating may have changed.

You can find more EPC statistics and key findings via the government website.