How to improve your EPC rating: A complete guide

Are your energy bills too high? With energy prices soaring and predicted to rise again, making your home more energy-efficient has never been more important.

Your home's Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy-efficient your property is. This guide explains what an EPC rating means and shows you simple ways to improve your EPC rating.

What does EPC rating mean?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is like a report card for your home's energy use. It shows how good your home is at saving energy, using a scale from A (best) to G (worst). Think of it like the colourful stickers you see on new fridges or washing machines.

You need an EPC when you build, sell, or rent a home. It lasts for 10 years and looks at things like your insulation, heating system, windows, renewable energy features, and lighting.

What is the best EPC rating?

An 'A' rating is the very best score, but only about 2 out of every 100 UK homes achieve this. Most homes have a D rating, with newer properties typically getting B or C ratings. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient your home is.

Why are most UK homes only rated D? Almost 24 million homes in England and Wales were built before 2008 – including over 4 million built before 1900. Only about 2.27 million homes were built between 2008 and 2021. Newer homes tend to be more energy efficient thanks to modern building techniques.

Why improving your EPC rating matters

Making your home more energy-efficient gives you many benefits:

✅Lower energy bills - When you improve your EPC rating, you'll use less energy. The Energy Saving Trust says that upgrading from an E to a C rating could save you around £500-£800 each year. However, the saving does depend on property type, fuel costs, and regional energy prices.

✅ Higher property value - Rightmove found that improving your EPC from a G to a C could add up to 16% to your home's value. People looking to buy or rent a home often prefer ones with lower energy bills.

✅ Meeting legal requirements - If you rent out your property, it must have at least an E rating by law. While landlords are still required to meet an E rating, improving to a C or higher could future-proof their property in case regulations change.

✅ Helping the planet - A more energy-efficient home produces less pollution. By improving from an E to a C rating, your home could reduce carbon emissions by about 2.5 tonnes each year.

Getting started with EPC improvements

How to get an EPC certificate

Before making improvements, you need to know your current rating. EPC certificates come from qualified assessors:

1. Find an approved assessor on the Government's EPC Register
2. Book a visit to your home. These usually cost between £60-£120
3. After the assessment, you'll receive your EPC (valid for 10 years)

In Scotland, you need to display the EPC somewhere in your home, like in the meter cupboard or next to the boiler.

How to prepare for an EPC assessment

To get the most accurate rating:

• Gather paperwork about previous energy improvements
• Ensure access to all rooms, including the loft
• Clear the way to your boiler and meters
• Have information about when your home was built
• Collect details about any renewable energy features

Quick fixes before your assessment

Simple steps that might improve your rating include:

• Changing to LED lights
• Sealing gaps around windows and doors
• Spreading out loft insulation evenly
• Servicing your boiler
• Cleaning solar panels if you have them

Does a smart meter improve EPC rating?

No, smart meters don't improve your EPC rating. While they help you monitor your energy use, they don't make your home more energy-efficient. EPC assessments only consider permanent physical features of your home, not monitoring devices.

How to improve EPC rating from E to C: A step-by-step approach

If you're looking to significantly improve your rating, follow this three-step approach:

Step 1: Start with insulation

Begin with the most cost-effective options:

• Ensure your loft has at least 270mm of insulation (around 10 inches). This is the most cost-effective way to improve your EPC rating.
• Get cavity wall insulation if your home is suitable
• Fix drafts around windows, doors, and floors
• Try thermal paint inside and outside your home

These improvements alone could move you from an E to a D rating.

Step 2: Upgrade your heating

After your home is well-insulated:

• Replace an old boiler with a new, efficient one
• Install proper heating controls
• Upgrade your hot water tank if you have one

Adding these heating improvements to your insulation work often brings homes up to a C rating.

Step 3: Consider additional improvements if needed

If you're still not at a C rating:

• Upgrade to double glazing if you have single glazing
• Add floor insulation
• Consider adding solar panels

Don’t forget to check your EPC recommendations

Every EPC includes a list of tailored recommendations based on your property’s current energy performance. These suggestions:

✅ Highlight the most cost-effective improvements
✅ Estimate potential savings on your energy bills
✅ Help you focus your budget on what will make the biggest impact

Tip: If your EPC is a few years old, you can still request the recommendations or check your property’s previous EPC online. Many improvements stay the same even if you’re planning to update your certificate.

👉 Find your EPC here: https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

Finding and funding your improvements

Most cost-effective improvements

When planning, prioritise improvements with the best return on investment:

Improvement	Typical Cost	Yearly Saving	Estimated payback	EPC Points
Loft insulation	£400	£175	2-3 years	5-10
Cavity wall insulation	£1,500	£150	10 years	5-15
LED lighting	£100	£35	3 years	1-2
New boiler	£3,000	£300	10 years	10-15
Solar panels	£4,800	£275	17-18 years	5-10
Double glazing	£5,000	£110	45 years	3-5
Draught-proofing	£200-£400	£40	5-10 years	1-3
Heat pumps	£7,000-£13,000	Variable	Variable	10-20

Available funding schemes

Several programs can help with costs:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) offers £5,000-£6,000 towards low-carbon heating (heat pumps and biomass boilers). A certified installer can check your eligibility and apply for the grant on your behalf.
• The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) helps eligible households (usually those on benefits) with insulation and heating system upgrades.
• The Green Deal can still be used privately for insulation, draught-proofing, double glazing, heat pumps, and solar panels, despite no government funding.
• The Smart Export Guarantee lets homes with renewable systems earn money for electricity fed back to the grid. Note this is for Great Britain only.
• Local schemes may offer additional support - check the Simple Energy Advice website using your postcode.

A warmer home and lower bills

Improving your home's EPC rating is a smart investment. Making your home more energy-efficient could save you hundreds of pounds each year on energy bills. With the right financial support, it may not cost as much as you think.

The best approach is to:

1. Find out your current rating and where you can make the biggest difference
2. Start with insulation before upgrading your heating
3. Choose the most cost-effective improvements first
4. Look for grants and other financial help

Remember that even small changes add up. By following this guide, you'll create a warmer home with lower bills while helping the environment too.