Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) explained

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an important document that shows how energy efficient a home is by giving it a rating.

An EPC also contains tons of other useful information, like how much energy the home uses and what this is likely to cost.

It’s even got suggestions on how to boost the property’s energy efficiency and the amount of money you could save.

Bear in mind that while EPCs are required in all parts of the UK, regulations differ.

Yes, it is a legal requirement to have a valid EPC if you’re selling or renting out your home. You also need an EPC if you’re building a new property.

An EPC gives buyers and tenants a clear understanding of how energy efficient the property is and how much they can expect to spend on energy bills.

This has been the law since 2008.

If your property does not have an EPC or it has expired, you’ll need to order one before you market your home. You must “use all reasonable efforts” to obtain the EPC within seven days. A further 21 days is allowed if this is not possible, according to government guidance.

If you don’t have a valid EPC in place, you could face a hefty fine.

If you’re not planning to sell or rent out your property, there’s no legal requirement to have an EPC. But it’s still useful to see exactly how your home’s doing in the energy efficiency stakes. This can help you decide on improvements and reduce your bills.

EPCs have a rating system to show how energy efficient your home is currently - and what it could be if you make improvements.

A is the best rating. It gives your home top marks for energy efficiency. And G is the lowest rating. It means your home is far from energy efficient.

The ratings are illustrated in a colour coded bar chart, which makes it easy to see at a glance. A is dark green, while G is bright red.

Your home’s energy performance is also scored, from 0 to 100.

The higher the rating and score, the more energy efficient your home is, and the lower the energy costs are likely to be.

Here’s a closer look at how a property’s energy efficiency is graded:

As we know, EPC ratings are on a sliding scale, from A (the most energy efficient) to G (the least energy efficient).

New-build homes tend to be very energy efficient because they are built to the latest industry standards. Meanwhile, older homes are often, but not always, less energy efficient.

If your home has an EPC rating of A? Congratulations! Your home is extremely energy efficient.

If your home has an EPC rating of B and C, it's right up there for energy efficiency. But there is room for improvement here and there.

If your home is rated D or E, you’re in good company. The average EPC rating of a home in England and Wales is widely considered to be D. It’s well worth looking at how you can boost your property’s energy performance.

And if your home has an EPC rating of F or G, there’s a lot of scope to improve its energy efficiency. It's a good idea to study your EPC for suggestions on changes that you could make.

It’s worth noting that your EPC rating doesn't directly affect your home's value. That said, it could impact the interest you get from buyers, especially if they're conscious of energy costs and environmental impact.

There are some scenarios when you do not need an EPC, such as:

• temporary buildings that will be occupied for less than two years

• stand-alone buildings with a ‘useful’ floorspace of 50 sq m or less

• industrial buildings, workshops, and agricultural buildings that don’t require a lot of energy

• some buildings that are set to be knocked down

• holiday homes that are rented for less than four months every year, or that are let under a licence to occupy

• homes that are occupied less than four months every year

• listed buildings

• places of worship.

To get an EPC, you need to arrange for an assessor to visit your home and carry out an assessment.

All EPCs must be carried out by someone who’s accredited. You can find an assessor on the government's register:

• Find an EPC assessor in England, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Find an EPC assessor in Scotland

The assessor will then create an EPC and give you a digital copy of it.

Your estate agent or letting agent could also help coordinate this.

The assessor will have a good look at the interior and exterior of your home. They'll evaluate how much energy your home uses and how much carbon dioxide it produces.

The assessment will take into account things, such as:

• roof, walls and insulation

• dimensions and age

• windows

• heating system

• lighting

• fireplaces

• renewable energy solutions, if you have them.

The cost of an EPC depends on a number of factors, including the type of home you have and the domestic energy assessor you go with.

As a general rule of thumb, you can expect the cost to start from around £60 and go up to £120 or more.

Like anything, it’s worth getting a few quotes from different assessors in your area to find the best price.

There are many ways to improve an EPC rating. These can range from simple tricks, to more comprehensive changes.

Here are some common measures to boost energy efficiency:

• install LED lights

• fill draughty gaps, for example, between the front door and the floor

• swap single glazed windows for double or triple glazed versions

• add insulation to walls, pipes and the roof

• invest in a modern, efficient boiler

• install renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels

• embrace smart technology.

An EPC is valid for 10 years, even if the property has new owners or there’s a change of tenancy.

It can be worth getting a new EPC before the 10 years is up, particularly if you’ve carried out work to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

It means you’ll have a better idea of the running costs and condition of your home. Plus, you’ll be better prepared to sell or rent it in the future.

You do not need to provide an EPC if you are buying or renting a home. It is the vendor or landlord’s responsibility to have an EPC available when the property is marketed.

At the moment in England and Wales, rental homes must have an EPC rating of E or above. As a landlord, you could be fined £5,000 if your property doesn’t meet the required standard.

But new rules in the pipeline could require rental homes to have an EPC rating of C or above by 2030. They’re part of the government’s net zero drive. Reports suggest landlords could face potential fines of up to £30,000 if they fail to comply.

Currently, 48% of private rented homes in England meet the proposed new threshold, according to the government.

Can you fail an EPC?

You can’t fail an EPC. There’s no pass or fail when it comes to EPC ratings.

But if your home has an EPC rating of G, it means it is very inefficient. Your EPC will set out why you’ve got the rating. It might mean that you’ve got poor insulation or a tired heating system, for example.

The good news is that your EPC will tell you exactly what you can do to fix this, as well as the typical cost of making improvements.

What is the EPC register?

Want to check the EPC rating of your home or another property? You can track down EPCs easily on the government website. Just search by the property’s postcode, street name and town, or certificate number.

Find your Energy Performance Certificate

You can download your certificate as a PDF.

What if I have questions about my EPC?

If you have questions about your EPC, it’s best to get in touch with the assessor who carried out the EPC assessment.

Your estate agent or letting agent could be a good port of call if you have more general questions about EPCs.

Can you be fined for not having an EPC?

Yes, you can face a fine if you do not have a valid EPC when you’re selling or renting out your home, or building a new property.