The position in storage & distribution
Storage and distribution is the category where floor areas are largest and the 2031 threshold bites hardest. A single shed can exceed 1,000 m² several times over, so a portfolio of very few buildings can carry substantial exposure.
Large-volume, low-occupancy space responds well to lighting, controls and roof insulation and badly to measures designed for offices. Solar PV is unusually attractive here because the roof area is enormous relative to the load.
This category accounts for 8.2% of all commercial certificates on the register. 2,718 properties are rated F or G – below the minimum that has applied to lettings since April 2023 – and 1,477 have an expired certificate that was rated F or G when issued.
The largest concentrations are in Birmingham, Leeds, Buckinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Sandwell, Somerset.
Key figures
Band distribution
| Band | Properties | Share | Share, shown as a bar | vs England & Wales |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 931 | 1.1% | +0.8 | |
| A | 6,328 | 7.7% | +3.6 | |
| B | 14,483 | 17.7% | -1.8 | |
| C | 26,571 | 32.5% | -0.7 | |
| D | 20,639 | 25.3% | -0.4 | |
| E | 10,062 | 12.3% | -0.6 | |
| F | 993 | 1.2% | -0.7 | |
| G | 1,725 | 2.1% | -0.4 |
Floor area profile
| Floor area | Properties | Share | Share, shown as a bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 250 m² | 27,701 | 33.9% | |
| 250–500 m² | 17,169 | 21.0% | |
| 500–1,000 m² | 14,846 | 18.2% | |
| 1,000–2,500 m² | 12,161 | 14.9% | |
| 2,500–10,000 m² | 7,616 | 9.3% | |
| Over 10,000 m² | 2,239 | 2.7% |
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Common questions
How many storage & distribution properties are below EPC B?
59,990 of 81,732 – 73.4%, which is 2.7 percentage points better than the 76.1% average across all commercial property.
How many storage & distribution buildings face the 2031 EPC B standard?
14,030 are over 1,000 m² and currently below EPC B.
What is the average size of a storage & distribution property?
1,634 m² on the certificates lodged for this category.
Other sectors
Retail & financial services
76.8% below EPC B · 347,446 properties
See the data →Offices & workshops
81.3% below EPC B · 259,596 properties
See the data →Restaurants, cafes & pubs
75.0% below EPC B · 121,133 properties
See the data →General & special industrial
81.9% below EPC B · 58,372 properties
See the data →Education
55.7% below EPC B · 21,420 properties
See the data →Hospitals & care homes
53.8% below EPC B · 20,625 properties
See the data →