How to Improve Your Home’s EPC Rating
Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates your home from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). A better rating means lower bills, higher property value, and — from 2028 — compliance with new rental regulations. Here is what actually moves the needle, ranked by cost-effectiveness.
Why It Matters Now
From 2028, all rental properties in England and Wales will need a minimum EPC rating of C (currently E). If you are a landlord, start planning upgrades now. Even for homeowners, a better EPC adds £5,000 – £15,000 to your property value and reduces annual energy bills by £500 – £1,500.
EPC Ratings Explained
| Band | Score | Typical annual energy cost |
|---|---|---|
| A | 92–100 | £500 – £800 |
| B | 81–91 | £800 – £1,200 |
| C | 69–80 | £1,200 – £1,600 |
| D | 55–68 | £1,600 – £2,200 |
| E | 39–54 | £2,200 – £2,800 |
| F | 21–38 | £2,800 – £3,500 |
| G | 1–20 | £3,500+ |
Costs based on a typical 3-bed semi-detached house at 2026 energy prices.
Upgrades Ranked by Impact
1. Loft Insulation
Best valueTop up existing insulation to 270mm or install from scratch. 25% of heat is lost through an uninsulated roof.
2. Cavity Wall Insulation
High impactIf your home was built after 1920 and before 1990, it probably has unfilled cavity walls. Filling them is quick (a few hours) and highly effective. 35% of heat loss is through walls.
3. Draught-Proofing
Seal gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes, and floorboards. Cheap, easy to DIY, and makes an immediate difference to comfort and bills.
4. Upgrade Your Boiler
If your boiler is 15+ years old, it could be running at 70–80% efficiency versus 92%+ for a new A-rated condensing boiler. This is one of the biggest EPC score improvements.
5. Double or Triple Glazing
Replace single glazing with double or triple glazed windows. Reduces heat loss, noise, and condensation. 10% of heat is lost through windows.
6. Solar Panels
A 4kW system covers roughly half the electricity needs of a typical home. You can sell excess back to the grid via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Significantly improves your EPC.
7. Air Source Heat Pump
Replaces your gas boiler with a heat pump that extracts heat from the outside air. Eligible for the £7,500 Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant (if available). Dramatically improves EPC but requires good insulation to work effectively.
Quick Wins That Improve Your EPC
Hot water tank jacket: £15 – £30. Saves £50/year. One of the cheapest improvements.
LED lighting throughout: £50 – £100 for a whole house. Reduces lighting energy by 80%.
Smart thermostat: £150 – £250 installed. Better heating control can save 10–15% on heating bills.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs): £10 – £20 each, easy to fit yourself. Control heating room by room.
Pipe insulation: £10 – £30 from any DIY store. Wrap exposed hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
Grants and Funding
Boiler Upgrade Scheme: £7,500 towards an air source heat pump or £5,000 towards a ground source heat pump. Available until 2028.
ECO4 Scheme: Free or subsidised insulation and heating upgrades for low-income households. Check eligibility through your energy supplier.
Great British Insulation Scheme: Free cavity wall and loft insulation for homes in council tax bands A–D (England) or A–E (Scotland and Wales).
Local authority grants: Many councils offer additional grants. Check your local council website.
Planning upgrades? Use our Mortgage Calculator on CalcPad to see how much equity you could release for home improvements through a remortgage.
Last updated May 2026. Costs are estimates and vary by property type, location, and installer. Always get multiple quotes from certified installers.