Buyers are shopping by rating

Rightmove found demand for A-rated homes rose 22% in July compared with a year earlier. Efficiency now feeds into how fast a home sells and what it fetches.

“Stronger price performance among more energy-efficient homes, while properties with lower EPC ratings are seeing smaller price growth overall.”

What an EPC actually is

Rolled out by the government in 2007, it scores a property from A, the most efficient, down to G. It also lists fixes and what each one could save you.

It comes with a to-do list

The certificate names specific improvements for your home. That might be draught proofing around the property, or solar panels to cut the electricity bill.

You cannot skip it

An EPC is a legal requirement for selling, renting or building. You have to order one before the property goes on the market, not after.

Scotland has an extra rule

There you must display the certificate inside the property, next to the boiler for example. England, Wales and Northern Ireland have no such requirement.

Check before you pay

Search gov.uk by postcode, street and town, or EPC number. The digital copy shows the expiry date and the score you could reach with improvements.

The price of a new one

EPCs last 10 years. If yours has expired, an accredited assessor costs roughly £65 to £120 depending on the firm and the size of your home.

Banks will often pay

Skipton members and Foundation borrowers get free EPCs, Lloyds offers them with cashback on green upgrades, Santander charges £75 and OVO bundles one into a £25 Home Health Report.

One score becomes four

A new framework splits the rating into energy cost, fabric performance, heating system and smart readiness. Delayed from October 2026 to the second half of 2027.

Landlords face a 2030 deadline

Rentals must hit C, up from E today, under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard. That means C on fabric, through insulation or double glazing, plus C on either heating or smart readiness.