What is an energy performance certificate?
If you’re buying or renting a property, understanding its energy efficiency is essential - especially with rising energy costs. That’s where Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) can help. An EPC certificate tells you how much energy your new home is likely to consume and what it could cost you in the years to come.
Find out exactly what EPCs cover, how you can get one, and how it can save you money as well as increase the value of your home.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An EPC provides an energy rating, showing you how much it costs to heat and light your home, business property or public building. EPCs use a scale from G (red), the least efficient, to A (dark green), the most efficient.
If you’re selling or renting a property, you’ll need a valid EPC certificate. It needs to have been issued within the last ten years.
What else can an EPC certificate tell me about my property?
EPCs show numerical scores for your property’s current and potential energy ratings, as well as recommending improvements.
These suggested upgrades can increase energy efficiency and make the property more attractive to potential buyers, as well as saving you money while you’re living there.
Your EPC’s energy-saving suggestions might include:
- adding insulation (including loft and roof insulation, floor insulation and wall insulation)
- switching to energy-saving lightbulbs
- fitting double glazing
- updating your boiler
- adding solar panels
- improving your central heating system.
The better the property's energy rating, the lower the cost of running the property.
What isn't covered by an EPC?
Your Energy Performance Certificate doesn’t factor in the number of people in the property or the running costs of appliances. This includes washing machines, TVs, ovens and fridge-freezers, for example.
Read the Uswitch guide to which appliances use the most energy.
How to read EPC ratings
Not all EPCs look the same, but they should all be clear and easy to understand. The address at the top of the document should be correct, while elements such as Date of Assessment, Date of Certificate, Reference Number and Total Floor Area should all be fairly self-explanatory. The Type of Assessment field will show either SAP or RDSAP. These are the two types of assessment methodology - RDSAP stands for Reduced SAP and is a cheaper assessment method.
The next section indicates potential costs and potential savings based on the thermal coverage of the floor, walls and roof of the property. This is then extrapolated to produce the energy efficiency rating, which should be at the bottom of the report.
What are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards?
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) came into force on 1 April 2018 and set new energy efficiency regulations for privately rented properties throughout the UK. It is designed to highlight low standards of energy efficiency in properties in a bid to get landlords to take measures to raise them.
With the MEES in force, the lowest rating a privately rented property is allowed to achieve is an “E” - anything rated at “F” or “G” is not allowed to be rented out.
The landlord will be required to make these improvements to bring a property’s rating up to “E” but can only spend a maximum of £3,500. If the property cannot be improved to that point without spending more than £3,500, they will be able to apply for an exemption.
What is the EPC register?
The EPC certificate register both stores existing certificates and allows homeowners to find a registered domestic energy assessor to conduct a review of their property.
It also allows anyone having an energy performance review undertaken to check whether the inspector is properly accredited.
Once a property has a certificate, it is placed on the EPC register, where certificates can be easily retrieved. EPCs are valid for ten years.
How to opt out of the EPC register
If you don't want your Energy Performance Certificate to be accessible to others, you can opt out of the EPC register. To do so, contact the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, formerly known as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Who produces energy reports and EPCs?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, EPC certificates can only be produced by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA). For more details, visit the gov.uk website.
In Scotland, Energy Performance Certificates can only be produced by government-approved organisations and issued by RICS-registered chartered surveyors. Find out more about the EPC process in Scotland.
How to get an EPC
If you need an Energy Performance Certificate for your home, you can visit the Landmark website to find a registered domestic assessor in your area.
You can also search through the EPC certificate ratings of other properties in your area for free. This will help you compare your property’s rating to others in the area — all you need is the postcode.
What happens during the EPC assessment?
A domestic energy assessor will visit the property and take into consideration a number of factors to determine how energy-efficient your house is.
The assessor will need access to the entire property and will take photographs and measurements. Their checks will include:
- The lighting used including how many low-energy light bulbs are fitted in the property
- The overall size of the property
- The type of insulation used and how much it is used throughout the building
- The heating systems located on the property including working fireplaces
- The type of windows used throughout the house, i.e. single, double or triple-glazing.
How long does an EPC assessment take?
While it depends on the size of the property, most domestic EPC assessments can take up to an hour on average.
Can I get an EPC certificate online?
You can't get an EPC online because an assessor has to visit the property to make their judgement. You can't fully judge how energy-efficient a building might be by looking at pictures of it.
You can look up EPC ratings online, but you won't be able to commission an EPC inspection online.
Can an EPC save me money?
As well as telling you what measures to undertake, new EPCs detail the potential cost of upgrading your heating, lighting and water.
They also tell you the savings you can make on your bills after you’ve made the upgrades, to give you a cost comparison.
You’ll also be able to see the total savings you could make on your property and the EPC certificate rating you’ll receive after the upgrades.
Additionally, the MEES is good news for tenants because it should see energy costs become lower in the long run. With better insulation, more energy-efficient lighting and other measures taken to improve the energy efficiency of the property, you should end up paying less in energy costs.
How much do EPCs cost?
It costs between £60 and £120 to get your property on the EPC register. Since costs vary, it is worth shopping around and comparing a few different quotes — as long as you make sure your assessor is registered.
You can often lower the cost of getting an Energy Performance Certificate by getting your assessment done directly rather than through an estate agent. You can find an assessor in your area by checking on the EPC register.
Does my property need an Energy Performance Certificate?
If you are looking to sell or rent your property then you need an Energy Performance Certificate.
However, even if you’re not intending to sell your property, getting an EPC is a cheap and quick way to assess the energy-saving potential of your property.
Bear in mind that a lot of newer properties may already have an Energy Performance Certificate, and may also be very energy-efficient.
Prospective landlords looking to rent their property must also have an EPC available for tenants to view. If they fail to produce one, they could face a fine.
The only other situation where you need an Energy Performance Certificate is if you are looking to receive payments under the Feed-in Tariff scheme for solar panels. Your property must have an EPC rating of ‘D’ or higher to be eligible for Feed-in Tariff payments at the standard rate.
Do I need an EPC if I’m buying or renting?
By law, landlords and letting agents are responsible for providing an Energy Performance Certificate for any properties they put up for rent.
If you are renting a property, you are not required to order an EPC. However, you should ask the agent or landlord to show you a valid EPC before you sign a tenancy agreement.
If you weren’t aware of this and have already moved into a rental property, you can still ask your letting agent or landlord to see the property's EPC. If they fail to produce a valid EPC, you can make a complaint to your local Trading Standards office. If your landlord or letting agent fails to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate, they may face a fine.
Do I need an EPC if I’m selling my home?
If you’re looking to sell a property you will need to order an Energy Performance Certificate before you market the property to sell. As the property owner, you are responsible for obtaining an EPC for potential buyers.
Which buildings are not legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate?
While most buildings are legally required to have an EPC, there are exemptions. These include:
- Some listed buildings where certain minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance
- Some buildings in conservation areas
- Places of worship
- Holiday properties that are rented out less than four months per year
- Some buildings that are scheduled to be demolished
- Residential properties that are intended to be used for less than four months a year
- Buildings that stand alone with less than 50 square metres of floor space
- Temporary buildings that will only be used for up to two years.
For the full list of exempt buildings see the government’s dedicated EPC site.
Energy efficiency in new build homes
Even though regulations requiring new-build homes to be low carbon were scrapped in 2016, existing building regulations mean that newer homes tend to be more energy efficient.
EPC ratings in new builds
According to official government statistics, 88% of new-build homes in England were rated A or B in April-June 2025. A clear majority of homes built since 1990 have an EPC of A, B or C (86%) – this compares to just 23% of homes built before 1919.
According to industry body the Home Builders Federation, the average EPC rating of a new-build home is 86, the equivalent of a B rating. The HBF also claims that new-build owners pay significantly less for their energy – half that of those living in the average older property.
Common new build energy-efficient features
New builds gain high EPC ratings by implementing some or all of the following measures during construction:
- Loft, wall and floor insulation
- Double or triple glazed windows
- More efficient heating systems, such as heat pumps
- Solar panels and battery storage to help generate more electricity and reduce bills.
How major developers compare
Sadly, there’s no independent league table making it easy to see which are the most energy efficient home builders. However, the following claims have been made:
- Barratt Redrow energy efficiency: 99% of completed houses rate EPC B or above, according to its latest Socio Economic Footprint. Its average SAP rating is 84-85.
- Persimmon Homes energy efficiency: Average SAP rating is 86, the equivalent of an EPC B rating, according to its 2024 Annual Report.
- Taylor Wimpey energy efficiency: No figures are provided, but the company said in its 2024 Sustainability Report, “On average, our standard homes are designed to achieve an EPC rating of B”.
- Bellway energy efficiency: Bellway claims that 99% of its homes hold an EPC rating for B or above.
- Berkeley Group energy efficiency: The company’s environmental metrics reveal that in 2024-25, 95% of its completed homes attained an EPC rating of B or above, with an average score of 84.
UK homebuilders submit to one overall sustainability assessment system, the annual NextGeneration benchmark. Its latest report places Barratt at the top of the list with a score of 82 out of 100. Other high-ranking housebuilders include Latimer (78), Hill Group (74), London Square (70) and Taylor Wimpey (68).
Are new build houses always warmer and cheaper to heat?
The design of new build homes means they’re much warmer to live in than older properties. According to the Home Builders Federation, a new house’s energy bill is also 57% less. However, it’s worth noting that this is based on an ideal scenario, with many figures based on the design of a house as opposed to the actual build itself.
According to analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit thinktank, when the government abandoned zero-carbon rules for new builds in 2016, it added £1,000 to the energy bills of new-build homes because of the drop in building standards. While the HBF has disputed these claims, there are several other reasons why those living in new builds don’t always enjoy significantly lower energy bills. They include:
- EPC/SAP ratings use standardised assumptions, such as occupancy and heating schedules, which don’t always match a household’s actual habits
- Quality issues – many new builds contain defects that introduce issues like insulation gaps that undermine other energy efficiency measures.
New EPC rules for landlords
There are no new EPC regulations for landlords in 2025 to worry about, but both Westminster and Scottish governments are planning new regulations to raise the MEES of all rented properties to lift over one million renters out of fuel poverty. Key proposals for England and Wales include:
- All new properties being put out for tenancy must have an EPC C rating or higher from 2028
- In 2030, all tenancies must adhere to the EPC C minimum rating.
In the meantime, the existing regulations continue to apply: your home must have a valid EPC before it can be let, and it must be given to the tenant. In addition, since April 2020, homes in England and Wales must meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) whereby the EPC rating is E or better, unless a valid exemption is registered. No such requirement currently exists in Scotland.
The question of whether you need an EPC for an existing tenancy that’s being renewed isn’t as clear cut, but it’s a good idea to keep the EPC valid to avoid possible arguments, which means renewing it every 10 years.
What happens if you don’t comply?
If you fail to comply with these new rules, then you will be fined or banned from letting out your properties. Current fines are set at a maximum of £5,000 per property for each breach of the regulations, but there are proposals to increase this to a possible maximum of £30,000. In addition, non-compliant properties may be placed on a local authority register to aid enforcement of required energy efficiency measures.
How to improve your EPC rating (from E to C)
As a landlord, energy efficiency is no longer something you can ignore. The following step-by-step guide will help you lift your rented property to an EPC C rating in a cost-effective manner:
1. Get an Energy Performance Certificate for the property if you haven’t already. This will provide a score to indicate how far off compliance your property is, along with recommended improvements to lift the property to an EPC C rating.
2. Calculate how many points you’re off, then choose appropriate improvements to raise your rating to the required amount. For example:
| Improvement | Rough cost | Potential boost to EPC score |
|---|---|---|
| Insulate a previously uninsulated roof with 270mm | £900 | 10-15 points |
| Install wall cavity insulation | £1,000-£4,500 | 5-10 points |
| Insulate your hot water tank | £20-30 | 1.5-2 points |
| Replacing old boiler with new A-rated condensing gas boiler | £3,700 | 4-23 points |
Rough costs from Energy Saving Trust and Checkatrade.
3. If you’re planning to rent out an older (pre-1919) home, check out our guide to making a Victorian house more energy efficient.
4. Once the upgrades have been installed, get a fresh EPC assessment and rating.
Are there grants or funding options for landlords?
The good news is that there are various financial support schemes you may be able to tap into to help fund any required energy efficiency improvements. Some, like ECO4 (Energy Company Obligations) and Warm Homes: Local grants, are aimed at private renters who can apply with your permission for free or discounted improvements. However, there are also schemes where you can apply directly for support, such as:
- Great British Insulation Scheme: for properties with an EPC D-G rating in Council Tax Bands A-D (England) or A-E (Scotland and Wales). Apply here.
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme: pays £7,500 towards the cost of installing a heat pump for property owners, including landlords. Check eligibility and apply through GOV.UK.
In addition, you can benefit from 0% VAT on installing energy-saving materials, including insulation and solar panels, until 31 March 2027.
Quick wins vs long-term investments
One thing you should so is avoid so-called ‘quick hacks’ – while many of these might make homes more comfortable, they have no effect on EPC scores.
Instead, focus on improvements that will actually make a material, long-term difference, such improving the insulation and fitting double glazing or upgrading the heating system.
FAQs
When do I need an EPC?
An EPC is legally required whenever a property is constructed, sold or rented. If you don’t have one, fines range from £500 to £5,000.
Can a property fail an EPC inspection?
It’s not technically possible to fail an EPC inspection, but it is possible for a property to be given a rating of “G”, which is the lowest rating and indicates that the property is extremely energy-inefficient.
Any property rated “G” would need to take major steps to improve the rating to at least “E”, which is the minimum rating specified under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
How do I get a copy of my EPC?
If you live in rented accommodation you can get a copy of your Energy Performance Certificate by contacting your landlord or letting agent.
If you own the property or would rather get your EPC without contacting your landlord, you can visit the EPC Register website.
To get a copy of the report, you’ll need the Report Reference Number (RNN) or you can search with the property postcode.
How long is an EPC valid for?
An EPC is valid for ten years, but once it has expired, there is no legal requirement to renew until the property is either let to new tenants or sold.
What if I have questions about my EPC?
There are various resources online for those who have questions about an EPC. Three of the key places to look are:
What if I have questions about my EPC?
There are various resources online for those who have questions about an EPC. Three of the key places to look are:
Are new build houses more energy-efficient than older homes?
Yes, modern new build energy efficiency ratings tend to be higher than those on older buildings due to several factors:
- Building regulations – despite the scrapping of low-carbon requirements in 2016, building regs still get tightened over time to improve building construction and materials that help increase energy efficiency
- Building fabrics – current materials used in the construction of homes are better designed to be airtight, ensuring buildings are more efficient – and thus cheaper – to heat
- Higher EPC ratings – most new-build homes are rated B or A, while well-planned retrofits usually only score C or higher.
What EPC rating should I expect for a new build?
A or B. In April–June 2025, 88% of new dwellings in England (90% in Wales) were rated either B or A. This means the home costs less to run and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions based on its energy efficiency rating.
Do all new builds include heat pumps or solar panels?
No. According to the Home Builders Federation, rooftop solar is installed in 4 out of 10 new homes. This proportion should significantly increase if the government’s Plan for Change proposals for the Future Homes Standard come to pass.
Are new build energy claims reliable?
As with any purchase, always take marketing claims with a pinch of salt and verify the claims being made through independent sources. For example, check the home’s EPC on the official register and – if possible – seek out independent reviews or post-occupancy data for surrounding properties.
As a landlord, do I need an EPC for an existing tenancy?
Yes. You must have a valid EPC to market a rental property, and if you live in England or Wales, the EPC must have a rating of E or higher unless your property meets one or more exemptions.
How can I raise my EPC from E to C cost-effectively?
The most effective ways to improve an EPC rating from E to C are:
- Add or top up loft insulation
- Fit cavity wall insulation
- Fit better heating controls
- Insulate your hot water tank
- Upgrade your boiler.
Are there EPC exemptions for landlords of residential properties?
Yes, but EPC exemptions list entries must be registered, and each has a limited lifespan – typically 5 years – before they must be renewed or addressed. Some examples include:
- All relevant improvements made – you’ve spent up to £3,500 (including VAT) on energy efficiency measures, but it’s still below the EPC E standard
- High cost – no improvement can be made to the property for under £3,500 (including VAT)
- Wall insulation – if insulating the walls of your property would negatively impact its fabric or structure
- Third-party consent – required consent from another party, such as a tenant or planning department – is not forthcoming
- Temporary exemption due to recently becoming a landlord – a six-month exemption is possible in certain circumstances if you’ve recently become a landlord.
Visit GOV.UK for detailed guidance, eligibility criteria and information on how to register.
Does a smart meter improve an EPC rating?
No, smart meters aren’t a rated element in a property’s SAP score, so don’t affect its EPC rating. However, they can help indirectly by helping you cut your energy usage and identify cost-effective upgrades that will raise EPCs.
