How to Improve Your EPC Rating: A Practical Guide
Updated: · By Depth of Light Ltd, Milton Keynes
Your EPC rating goes from A (most efficient) to G (least). Most homes in England sit around D. If you're a landlord, rented homes will need to reach C by 1 October 2030. If you're selling, a better rating can help your home stand out, and some lenders offer better mortgage rates on higher-rated homes.
The good news is that you don't need to do everything. Some improvements do far more than others, and doing them in the right order saves money. Here is the order that usually gives the best value.
Start with your current EPC
Look up your home on the government's EPC register. The certificate shows your current rating, the rating your home could reach, and a list of recommended improvements with rough costs. It's the best starting point, because it's based on your actual home.
If your certificate is old, or you've made changes since, a new EPC gives you an up-to-date picture. It may also show a better rating straight away if improvements you've already made weren't recorded last time.
1. Loft insulation
Heat rises, so a poorly insulated loft lets a lot of it escape. Topping up loft insulation to the recommended depth is one of the cheapest and most effective improvements, and it's often a quick job. If your loft has only a thin layer, or none, this is usually the place to start.
2. Wall insulation
Walls lose more heat than any other part of most homes. Many homes built between the 1920s and 1990s have cavity walls, and filling the cavity is usually straightforward and good value. Older homes with solid walls can be insulated on the inside or outside too, but it costs more and needs more planning.
3. Draught-proofing and windows
Sealing gaps around doors, windows and floorboards is cheap and makes a home feel warmer. Replacing single glazing with double glazing helps as well, although it's a bigger spend, so it usually comes after insulation.
Book your EPC
Fixed prices from £75, carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. Certificate usually within 48 hours.
4. Heating controls
A programmer, a room thermostat and thermostatic radiator valves let the heating run only when and where it's needed. They're relatively cheap and often recommended on EPCs. Smart heating controls are also expected to count towards the smart readiness score on the new-style EPC.
5. A more efficient heating system
If your boiler is old, a modern replacement usually improves the rating. A heat pump can improve it further in the right home, especially one that is already well insulated. This is one of the bigger spends, so it makes sense to sort insulation first, which also means you may need a smaller system.
6. Solar panels
Solar panels usually improve an EPC rating because the home generates some of its own electricity. How much depends on the size of the system and the rest of the home. They tend to make the most difference once the basics are in good shape. They also cut your bills, which is what most people want in the end. You can read more in do solar panels improve your EPC rating?
7. Battery storage
A home battery stores solar power, or cheap overnight electricity, to use later. On the current EPC it adds little on its own. On the new-style EPC, batteries are expected to count towards the smart readiness score, which will matter more for landlords once the new rules arrive.
Small things that help
- Low-energy lighting throughout the home
- A hot water cylinder jacket if you have a cylinder
- Paperwork for past improvements ready for the assessor, such as insulation or boiler certificates, so nothing is missed
Grants that may help
Depending on your home and circumstances, you may be able to get help with insulation or heating costs. See our grants and incentives page for what is currently available.
After the work: get a new EPC
Your rating won't change on the register until a new EPC is carried out. Once you've made improvements, book a new certificate so buyers, tenants and lenders can see the better rating. We offer a free follow-up call with every EPC to talk through what would move your rating up a band. Book an EPC with us in Milton Keynes.
Book your EPC
Fixed prices from £75, carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. Certificate usually within 48 hours.