How to improve epc rating

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is all about the energy efficiency of a property. Every property can be assessed and given an EPC rating, which helps homeowners and landlords understand their energy use and losses. 

With rising energy costs and the push for greener living, improving your EPC rating is more important than ever. Not only does a higher rating lower energy bills, but it can also increase property value along with the potential of a Green Mortgage for EPC C or above.

For landlords, it’s now a legal requirement to meet certain EPC standards in their rental properties. 

This guide takes a look at the actionable steps to boost your EPC rating, covering everything from simple fixes to larger retrofit improvements.

An EPC rating is a measure of a property’s energy efficiency and environmental impact. The rating uses a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and provides a score that shows how energy-efficient a home is.

The rating is calculated based on the energy usage per square metre of the property. It takes into account factors like the quality of insulation, the efficiency of the heating system and the type of windows and lighting used. It also considers the potential energy savings from renewable technologies, like solar panels or heat pumps.

To determine the EPC rating, assessors use the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), the UK government’s national calculation methodology. The SAP score, which ranges from 1 to 100+, is then put into an EPC rating band. 

Each band reflects the property’s overall energy efficiency:

EPC Rating BandSAP PointsEfficiency
A92–100Most efficient
B81–91More efficient
C69–80Above average
D55–68Average
E39–54Below average
F21–38Not as efficient
G1–20Least efficient

A good EPC rating is usually considered a B and above. However, most UK homes are well below this. The average property in the UK holds a D rating, with a score between 55–68.

It’s important to improve this average rating though. For homeowners, it translates into lower energy bills and a smaller carbon footprint. Properties with higher EPC ratings are also more attractive to buyers, as they promise lower running costs and a more sustainable footprint.

For landlords, meeting minimum EPC standards is a legal requirement, with stricter regulations proposed for the future – by 2030 all private rental properties will have to have a minimum EPC rating of C. 

The best way to improve your EPC rating depends on your property’s current energy efficiency, set up and the upgrades it already has in place.

A professional energy assessment is the best starting point. This will identify the specific areas where your property is losing energy and will recommend tailored improvements – as I’m sure you’re aware, every house is different, so this individual assessment is key. For most properties, a combination of low-cost, high-impact measures and larger investments often give the best results. 

For example, improving insulation is often a cost-effective way to significantly enhance your rating. Loft insulation and cavity wall insulation are straightforward and affordable upgrades that can make a substantial difference by reducing heat loss.

Upgrading an inefficient heating system, such as an old boiler, can also have a major impact on your EPC score. Modern condensing boilers or renewable energy options like heat pumps not only improve energy efficiency but also reduce running costs over time. 

Larger investments, such as installing solar panels or upgrading windows to double or triple glazing, can boost your rating while adding long-term value to your property. However, these options do require a higher upfront cost.

To maximise the benefits, most homeowners consider an overall approach that combines several improvements. For example, pairing solar panels with battery storage will increase your energy independence and EPC rating. A smaller upgrade might see you upgrade all lightbulbs to LEDs whilst adding cavity wall insulation.

Ultimately, the best way to improve your rating will depend on your budget, property type, and energy goals. Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to improve your EPC rating.

9 ways to improve your EPC rating

Install loft insulation

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to improve your EPC rating is by installing or upgrading loft insulation. 

Heat always rises, and without proper insulation, a significant amount of energy escapes through the roof. The recommended depth for loft insulation in the UK is 270mm, which can reduce heat loss and lower energy bills. 

Installing loft insulation can save an average household up to £135 per year on heating costs, whilst also boosting the property’s energy efficiency score by 10-15 points.

Add wall insulation

Just like your roof, heat is also lost through your walls. Both cavity wall and solid wall insulation are effective at improving energy efficiency. 

Cavity wall insulation involves filling the gap between your property’s double brick walls with insulating material. If you have solid walls, you can apply solid wall insulation internally or externally. 

These upgrades significantly reduce heat loss and save energy, particularly in older homes where walls are often a major source of inefficiency. Cavity wall insulation can save up to £500 a year. Solid wall insulation can save even more, but it’s more expensive to install.

Upgrade your boiler or heating system

Replacing an old boiler with a modern condensing model can dramatically improve your EPC rating by up to 40 points.

Modern boilers are far more efficient at converting fuel into heat. A new boiler can be up to 94%, which reduces energy waste. The only problem here is that most combi boilers burn gas to create heat. This isn’t great from an environmental perspective.

You can get electric boilers, which are generally better for the environment – depending on how and where you get your electricity from. The good news is that the UK’s electricity grid is becoming greener year by year – 2024 was the cleanest year on record with 45% of electricity generated by wind or solar. The main problem with electric boilers is that they are very expensive to run and heat a standard sized home.

For more info, have a read of this post on electric boilers vs air source heat pumps.

Install a heat pump

If you thought modern boilers were efficient, wait until you hear about heat pumps. For every unit of electricity that goes into running a heat pump, they create 3-4 times more for your home – that’s a 300-400% efficiency. 

Heat pumps are an excellent way to significantly improve your EPC rating by using renewable energy to heat your home. Air-source heat pumps extract heat from the air, whilst ground-source systems use underground heat. 

Heat pumps do cost significantly more than a combi boiler but these upfront costs can be largely offset by the government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme that knocks £7,500 of the costs to bring them more in line with standard boiler costs. Over the long term, the energy savings make them a worthwhile investment.

Install solar panels

Solar panels are a long-term investment that can significantly improve your EPC rating by generating renewable energy.

A standard 4kW solar system can generate around 3,400kWh of electricity per year, which is enough to meet most households’ electricity needs. However, seasonal variation in generation does come into play here.

The upfront costs of a 4kW system come in around £5,000–£8,000. For this, you get a renewable energy system that reduces your reliance on the grid, cuts your energy bills and enhances your property’s energy efficiency. It’s likely your panels will have paid for themselves in 8-12 years, leaving you with another two decades of free energy!

Replace single-glazed windows with double or triple glazing

Single-glazed windows are notorious for allowing heat to escape. Upgrading to double or triple glazing not only reduces energy loss but also enhances comfort by preventing draughts and condensation. These windows also improve soundproofing. 

Installation costs vary depending on the number of windows and how big they are. Once installed, this upgrade will provide immediate energy savings and a small boost to your EPC rating.

Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs

Energy-efficient LED light bulbs are a quick and affordable way to improve your EPC score. 

LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer, reducing both energy usage and replacement costs. 

By replacing all your light bulbs with LEDs, you can achieve instant savings on your electricity bill whilst making a small but measurable impact on your EPC rating.

Invest in a smart heating control system

Smart thermostats and heating controls optimise energy use by allowing you to schedule and monitor heating more effectively. These systems learn your household’s heating patterns and make sure energy is only used when and where it’s needed.

Smart controls can save households up to 10-15% on heating bills, and their addition contributes to an improved EPC score. 

You can get super smart systems, which are known as home energy management systems. These allow you to connect all aspects of household energy in one place, from appliances and heating, to energy generation and storage. 

Reduce draughts

Sealing draughts around windows, doors and floorboards is a quick and inexpensive way to prevent heat loss and improve your home’s energy efficiency. 

Draught-proofing materials, such as sealants and foam strips, are widely available and easy to install. This simple upgrade can reduce annual heating costs by around £60 and is particularly beneficial for older homes with gaps in the building fabric.

When you’re looking to improve your EPC rating, it’s a wise move to focus on upgrades that deliver the greatest return on investment in terms of energy efficiency. 

Insulation is one of the most impactful improvements. Loft insulation, for example, is relatively inexpensive and can prevent significant heat loss. It comes in at around £10-£30 per square metre depending on what type you go for and will likely pay for itself in a few years. 

Solid wall insulation can transform older properties with poor thermal performance – these are generally most homes built before the 1920s. Although costlier at around £7,000 for internal wall insulation, it’s said you can save up to £710 a year in energy according to the Energy Savings Trust and live in a more comfortable environment. 

Upgrading your heating system is another major contributor. Replacing an old boiler with a low efficiency rating to a modern condensing model above 90% efficiency can save up to £580 on your energy bills according to iHeat. With a relatively low cost of say £3,000, this move will payback in around 5 years. 

Instead of a new boiler, installing a renewable option like an air-source heat pump can drastically reduce energy consumption and improve your EPC rating. The average cost of a heat pump is around £5,000 (with the government grant taken off). With electricity rates at an all-time high, there aren’t too many savings to be had when compared to a boiler, but running costs can be lowered if paired with solar panels.

Although you’ll have to wait a longer time to get a return on investment, the long term prospects for energy savings with renewable technology are excellent. This is true for the likes of heat pumps and solar panels, which are both smart choices.

It’s worth saying that there’s more work involved with installing a heat pump and you may have to upgrade radiators, but the installation process of solar panels is very simple. 

Are there easy wins for improving an EPC rating?

Not all EPC improvements need to involve costly or time-consuming upgrades. There are several straightforward steps you can take to enhance your property’s energy performance:

  • Sealing draughts – Prevent heat loss by using affordable draught excluders around windows, doors and letterboxes. This simple fix can make your home feel warmer and reduce energy consumption.
  • Secondary glazing – If replacing windows isn’t feasible, adding secondary glazing is a cost-effective way to improve insulation and minimise heat loss.
  • Smart thermostats – Devices like Nest or Hive offer precise control over heating schedules, helping you avoid unnecessary energy use.
  • LED lighting – Swap out traditional bulbs for energy-efficient LED alternatives, which consume significantly less electricity and last much longer.

Even small behavioural changes, such as turning off appliances instead of leaving them on standby and adjusting heating settings to match daily needs, can contribute to noticeable energy savings and a better EPC rating. These quick wins are ideal for homeowners looking to make immediate, low-cost improvements.

Under new regulations introduced by the Labour government, landlords in the UK are required to raise the EPC rating of their rental properties to at least a ‘C’ by 2030.

This requirement builds on previous plans from the Conservative government, which proposed a 2028 deadline for rental properties to achieve a ‘C’ rating. However, those plans were scrapped in 2023. 

Labour’s revised deadline extends the compliance period by two years, giving landlords more time to make the necessary upgrades.

Meeting the new standards may present financial and technical challenges for landlords, particularly for older properties that require significant retrofitting. However, higher EPC ratings can provide long-term benefits, such as lower energy bills for tenants, increased property value and reduced environmental impact. 

There are exemptions and financial support options for landlords facing difficulty in meeting the new requirements. For example, if the cost of improvements cannot be made back through energy savings within seven years or if all possible improvements have been made but the property still doesn’t meet the required EPC rating. There’s also an exemption for new landlords who’ve just acquired the property.

Final thoughts on improving your EPC rating

Improving your EPC rating is a smart move for reducing energy costs, cutting carbon emissions and meeting regulatory requirements. From simple fixes like draught-proofing to big upgrades like solar panels, there’s a solution for every budget and property type. 

About the author 

Ben Hardman

Ben is a professional writer and the creator of sustainable living website TinyEco.com.
It's here where he helps people to reduce their environmental impact through simple, everyday choices. Away from the laptop, Ben loves spending time in the natural environment with his young family and Murphy the cocker spaniel.

Experience:
First Class BSc Biology degree (environmental and climate change focus)
Six years of working and writing in the environmental sector, including two years working at an international sustainability consultancy
Written for Ethical Consumer magazine, My Mother Tree, Unsustainable Magazine, Happy Eco News, Emission Index, PeakDistrict.org
Commented in The Independent, The Guardian, GreenMatch. Also featured on Radio 1's environmental special 'Minute of Me'

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