9 ways to improve your EPC rating

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient a property is. The scale runs from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). A better rating means lower energy bills. It can also make a property easier to sell or let.

For landlords, the minimum legal standard in England and Wales is currently a band E. The government has proposed raising this to a C for new tenancies in the future. Whether you own your home or rent out a property, improving your EPC rating is worth doing. This guide covers nine practical ways to do it.

What do EPC ratings mean?

Each EPC band has a score range. The higher the score, the better the rating.

When an assessor visits your property, they look at insulation, heating, windows, lighting, and renewable energy features. Each improvement can add points to your score and push your rating up a band.

How do I find my EPC rating?

You can check your property’s current EPC for free. Search the GOV.UK EPC register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk. Enter your postcode to find any valid certificates for your address.

An EPC is valid for ten years. If yours has expired or you don’t have one, you can book a new assessment through an accredited domestic energy assessor. The report will also list recommended improvements and estimate the cost and impact of each one.

How do I improve the EPC rating of my home?

Your EPC report is the best place to start. It tells you exactly which improvements your assessor recommends and how many points each one could add. Below are the nine most effective ways to improve your rating, from low cost to higher investment.

1. Switch your lighting to LED

This is the cheapest improvement on the list. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than older incandescent bulbs. Replacing every light fitting in a property with LED can add a few points to your EPC score.

The cost is low. A pack of LED bulbs costs a few pounds. The savings are immediate. For a landlord with multiple properties, this is one of the easiest wins available.

2. Insulate your hot water cylinder

If your property has a hot water cylinder, wrapping it in an insulating jacket reduces heat loss. This keeps water hotter for longer and means the boiler has to work less often.

A cylinder jacket costs around £15 to £30. It can add several points to your EPC score. If your cylinder already has a jacket, check it’s at least 75mm thick.

3. Install heating controls

Thermostats, programmer timers, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) all allow more precise control of heating. An assessor gives credit for having these in place.

A basic programmer and room thermostat can be installed for £150 to £300. Smart thermostats, such as Hive or Nest, cost more but offer remote control and learning features. Either type will improve your EPC score.

4. Replace boiler with a new condensing boiler

A modern condensing boiler is significantly more efficient than an older model. New A-rated condensing boilers have an efficiency of around 90% or above. An older boiler may be 60% to 70% efficient.

Replacing a boiler typically costs between £1,500 and £3,000 to be fitted. It can add a meaningful number of points to your EPC score and reduce fuel bills. If your boiler is over 15 years old, replacement will have a bigger impact than most other improvements.

5. Replace single glazed windows with double glazing

Single glazed windows lose a large amount of heat. Replacing them with double glazing reduces heat loss and improves the thermal performance of the property.

The cost varies by property size and window style. A typical semi-detached house might cost £3,000 to £6,000 to fully double-glaze. It can push a property from a D to a C rating in many cases. Secondary glazing is a cheaper alternative if full replacement is not possible.

6. Install or upgrade your loft insulation

Heat rises. A poorly insulated loft lets it escape through the roof. The recommended depth for loft insulation is 270mm of mineral wool.

If you have no loft insulation, installing it can add a significant number of points to your EPC. The cost is typically £300 to £600 for a standard house. If your insulation is thin or old, topping it up is cheaper and still adds points.

Some households may be eligible for funded loft insulation through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). It’s worth checking before you pay.

7. Insulate your floor

Cold floors are often a sign of heat loss through the ground. Insulating the floor can add points to your EPC, particularly in older properties with suspended timber floors.

For suspended timber floors, insulation boards can be fitted between joists from below. For solid floors, this is more disruptive and involves lifting the floor surface. Costs vary widely. A suspended floor in a small property might cost £500 to £1,500.

8. Install wall insulation

About a third of heat is lost through the walls of an uninsulated property. The right type of insulation depends on your wall construction.

• Cavity wall insulation fills the gap in the cavity of a double-skin brick wall. It costs around £400 to £800 and is one of the most cost-effective improvements available.
• Solid wall insulation is needed for older properties with solid brick or stone walls. It can be applied to the inside or outside of the wall. It’s more expensive (typically £7,000 to £15,000), but it adds more points to your EPC score.

Check whether your home has cavity or solid walls before booking work. An EPC assessor or a surveyor can tell you this.

9. Install solar panels

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity from sunlight. This can push a property’s EPC rating up significantly, sometimes by more than one band.

A typical domestic solar PV system costs between £5,000 and £10,000. The payback period varies, but export tariffs allow you to sell unused electricity back to the grid. This makes solar a strong option for properties where other improvements have already been made, and a higher rating is still needed.

Solar thermal panels, which heat water using the sun, are a separate technology. They can also improve an EPC rating but are less common than PV panels.

I’m a landlord – why should I improve my EPC rating?

For landlords in England and Wales, the minimum EPC rating for a rented property is currently band E. Properties rated F or G can’t legally be let. This rule applies to both new tenancies and renewals. The government has proposed raising the minimum to band C. The target date for new tenancies has been discussed as 2030, though this has not yet been confirmed in law. Landlords who improve their properties now will be better prepared for any future changes.

There are also financial benefits. A better EPC rating can increase rental appeal. Tenants are increasingly aware of energy costs. A property with an A or B rating is cheaper to run, which makes it more attractive. It may also command a higher rent. For more on recent changes affecting landlords, read our guide on the Renters’ Rights Act.

Final thoughts

Improving your EPC rating doesn’t have to mean expensive work all at once. Start with your EPC report. It tells you which improvements will have the most impact on your specific property.

Low-cost steps like LED lighting and a hot water cylinder jacket can add points quickly. Bigger improvements like insulation and a new boiler take more investment but deliver lasting results.

If you’re a landlord looking to fund energy improvements, Pepper Money works with specialist brokers who can help you find the right product. You can find a broker through us today.