An Energy Performance Certificate is a requirement for landlords intending to sell or rent property in the UK.
Homeowners are also keen to improve their EPC rating to protect the environment and increase their homes’ value.
An Energy Performance Certificate measures a property’s energy efficiency, which is rated from A to G. Older properties are likely to achieve a D rating as they may lack modern appliances. However, most properties have much room for improvements, for which an EPC certificate will indicate what areas need changing.
A certificate is valid for ten years and provides information on how much it costs to heat the home and details on CO2 emissions.
What Can I Do To Improve The EPC Rating?
There are numerous ways to increase your rating, from inexpensive DIY jobs to investing in renovations. Here are our top 6 suggestions.
1) Wall Insulation
Heat loss through walls is a significant factor in low EPC ratings. Insulate your internal walls, wall cavities, and exterior walls to retain heat and boost your EPC rating by up to 10 points.
2) Insulate Loft Spaces
Heat rises and escapes through your roof, so sufficient insulation in your loft is crucial to prevent this. To gain approximately 10 to 15 points, you need to install insulation of around 270mm. You can also top up your existing insulation to earn more points.
3) Upgrade Your Boiler
This is a significant investment, but a boiler replacement can pay itself off over a few years. You can also increase your EPC by up to 20 points. Older boilers consume more energy, and newer boilers are manufactured with energy efficiency in mind. So if you upgrade to a modern boiler, you will notice considerable improvements in energy consumption and costs and a boost in your rating.
4) Install Double or Triple-glazed Windows
You stand to gain only a few more points on your EPC score with double or triple glazing. However, you still benefit from reducing heat loss through your windows by investing in this method.
5) Switch To Renewable Energy
Consider harnessing renewable energy sources, such as sunlight, using solar panels. This helps reduce reliance on the grid and helps you score approximately 10 points in the EPC rating assessment.
6) Use LED light bulbs
Although the type of lightbulb you use has little impact on your EPC score, it’s still a worthwhile investment that drives down energy costs and consumption. LED bulbs last longer than traditional bulbs and are more expensive. However, you could potentially save £35 each year with LED bulbs.
Implementing these suggestions will help increase your EPC rating and give you more benefits, such as lower energy bills and increased value in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the quickest ways to improve an EPC rating?
The quickest improvements usually come from low-cost, high-impact measures such as switching to LED lighting, draught-proofing doors and windows, and upgrading heating controls. These changes reduce wasted energy and can contribute a small but measurable improvement in EPC scores, especially when combined together.
How does loft insulation affect an EPC rating?
Loft insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve an EPC rating because it significantly reduces heat loss through the roof. EPC assessments heavily weight insulation levels, so topping up or installing loft insulation can often deliver a noticeable increase in rating, particularly in older homes.
Can upgrading a boiler improve EPC performance?
Yes, replacing an old boiler with a modern condensing boiler or more efficient heating system can improve an EPC rating. Heating systems are a major factor in the assessment, and more efficient systems reduce energy demand and emissions, which positively impacts the overall score.
Do renewable technologies help improve EPC ratings?
Renewable technologies such as solar panels or heat pumps can significantly improve EPC ratings by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions. These systems are often among the highest-impact improvements, although they are usually more expensive than basic efficiency measures.
What combination of upgrades gives the best EPC improvement?
The best EPC improvements usually come from combining insulation upgrades (loft and wall insulation), efficient heating systems, and basic efficiency measures like LED lighting and draught-proofing. EPC scores are calculated based on overall performance, so combining multiple improvements delivers a much stronger result than any single change alone.