What is an EPC?

When a home is built, sold or rented in the UK, it needs an Energy Performance Certicate (EPC). This shows you how much a building will cost to heat and light, what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be and what improvements you can make to improve its energy efficiency.

An EPC rates a property in bands from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years from the date it's issued.

EPC rating bands

Your EPC will have two main charts that look like this with the rating bands clearly displayed.

Source: www.nesltd.co.uk

Using the government's Standard Assesssment Procedure (SAP) your home will be given a numerical score from 1-100 SAP points. These scores are divided into bands as follows:

  • EPC rating A = 92-100 SAP points (most efficient)
  • EPC rating B = 81-91 SAP points
  • EPC rating C = 69-80 SAP points
  • EPC rating D = 55-68 SAP points
  • EPC rating E = 39-54 SAP points
  • EPC rating F = 21-38 SAP points
  • EPC rating G = 1-20 SAP points (least efficient)

On the right hand side of each chart, you can see the current rating based on the existing energy performance of your property next to the potential rating you could achieve by making the improvements recommended in your EPC.

Improving your home's EPC

Making your home more energy efficient won't just make it a warmer, more comfortable place to live, it can also improve its value. Here are some of the ways you can improve your score:

  • Double glazing. Upgrading your windows and doors won't just improve your home's energy performance, it can reduce noise too
  • Loft insulation. It's easy to install, inexpensive and can make a huge difference to your bills. Install loft insulation that's at least 270mm thick
  • Wall insulation. Whether your home has cavity or solid walls, insulating them can improve your EPC rating and you might qualify for help with the costs
  • Replace your boiler. You can cut your energy bills with a new, energy-efficient boiler
  • An efficient secondary heating source. Installing a wood-burning stove instead of an open fireplace can give you greater fuel efficiency and reduced costs in the long run.

 

You can find out more on improving your home's energy performance (including the subsidies available to help with the costs of these improvements) by visiting our energy efficiency pages.

As well as showing your home's energy performance score, the EPC also includes a list of recommended improvements along with the estimated cost saving.