Scoring a higher EPC might not be as hard (or expensive) as you think

Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband MP has committed to reintroducing energy efficiency targets and, although the timelines remain vague, agents and landlords can expect that properties in the private rented sector (PRS) will be required to meet EPC C by 2030.

Energy saving light bulb switched on

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) indicates the property's energy efficiency and carbon emissions. EPCs use a rating system with bands ranging from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least. Most homes in England and Wales fall into the D band.  

Understand how an EPC is calculated 

A qualified assessor will inspect a property to determine how energy is used. This includes looking for heat or energy loss, checking for insulation, assessing the efficiency of the heating and water systems, as well as looking at double glazing and energy-efficient light bulbs. Each aspect is given a score depending on its efficiency and condition. The scores are added up to determine the overall EPC grade; to achieve a C rating, a property must score 69 - 80 points.  

It's important to note that the cost of energy is considered in the calculation of the EPC. This means switching from gas to electric heating may result in a lower EPC score because electricity is more expensive than gas. 

Small changes can add up 

A property that has a rating of D could be just one point, and therefore one minor improvement, away from upgrading to a C. 

Simply switching to low-energy LED lighting can add 1-2 points, and another point could come from adding insulation to a hot water tank. Installing a thermostat on a hot water cylinder can add an average of 2.4 points, and installing a smart meter may also improve an EPC. 

Standard loft insulation can add an average of 4.9 points, however, it is ‘room in roof’ insulation (+9.91 points) that is the most effective measure when it comes to improving an EPC score.  

EPC on a tablet
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Prioritise points added rather than energy efficiency 

Adding the most sustainable features to a home isn’t always the best way to add points and improve an EPC rating. For example, a BIOMASS boiler is often said to be the most eco-friendly way of heating a home, but in terms of EPC points, they don’t score as highly as more traditional heating methods. 

A standard condensing gas boiler adds an average of +23 points, whereas a BIOMASS boiler only adds +12 points. So, switching from a gas boiler to a BIOMASS boiler would reduce EPC points. 

Alternative energy is one way of adding lots of EPC points with solar panels adding an average of +9.91 points, whilst a wind turbine can add +6.39 points. 

EPC on a tablet
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Plans to reform EPCs 

The UK Government is consulting on plans to reform the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) framework in England and Wales, with sweeping changes to the way EPCs are structured, used, and valued. 

One of the most significant changes involves introducing multiple metrics to provide a more rounded view of a building’s energy performance. Domestic EPCs would include scores for fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness, and energy cost, as well as secondary metrics such as carbon emissions and overall energy use.  

Although these reforms are still under consultation, the UK Government aims to introduce updated EPC metrics in the second half of 2026, and their impact is expected to be significant.  

Supporting Propertymark members  

Consistent educational resources and regular updates on energy-related policies, particularly regarding the transition to sustainable energy practices, have been provided to members.  

To help homeowners and landlords our free guide to energy efficiency has provided information to improve energy performance and raise EPC ratings. 

Loft insulation being installed
Energy efficiency

The UK housing stock is amongst the least energy efficient in Europe and the Committee on Climate Change says that energy use in homes accounts for about 14 per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Non-domestic buildings account for around one-third of UK emissions from the building stock.