How to Improve Your EPC Rating

How to Improve Your EPC Rating: 10 Actionable Tips

Improving your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy bills, increase property value, and stay compliant with UK regulations. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to sell, a landlord preparing for future MEES requirements, or simply aiming to make your home more energy efficient, improving your EPC rating is a smart move.

In this guide, we share 10 practical and actionable tips you can use to boost your EPC rating and make your property more attractive to buyers and tenants.

✅ Why Improving Your EPC Rating Matters

A higher EPC rating means:

Lower energy bills
Increased property value
Better compliance with landlord regulations
Reduced carbon emissions
Greater appeal to buyers and tenants

With proposed regulations pushing rental properties towards an EPC rating of C, now is the ideal time to act.

🔧 1. Improve Loft Insulation

Loft insulation is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to improve your EPC rating. A poorly insulated roof can lose up to 25% of a home’s heat.

Tip: Aim for at least 270mm of insulation to meet current recommendations.

🧱 2. Upgrade Wall Insulation

Walls account for a large percentage of heat loss, especially in older homes.

Cavity wall insulation is cost-effective and quick to install.
Solid wall insulation is more expensive but can significantly boost your EPC score.

This improvement often results in a noticeable jump in rating.

🪟 3. Install Double or Triple Glazing

Single-glazed windows allow heat to escape easily. Replacing them with double or triple glazing improves insulation and comfort.

If replacing windows isn’t an option, secondary glazing can still help improve your EPC assessment.

🔥 4. Upgrade Your Boiler or Heating System

Old, inefficient boilers can drag your EPC rating down.

Replace outdated boilers with modern condensing boilers
Consider air source or ground source heat pumps
Install smart thermostats and heating controls

Heating upgrades are heavily weighted in EPC calculations.

💡 5. Switch to Energy-Efficient Lighting

A simple but often overlooked improvement.

Replace all bulbs with LED lighting
Ensure fixed light fittings use low-energy bulbs

This is one of the lowest-cost EPC improvements with immediate benefits.

☀️ 6. Install Solar Panels

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can significantly boost your EPC rating by generating renewable electricity.

Benefits include:

Lower electricity bills
Improved EPC score
Increased buyer appeal

Solar panels are particularly effective for properties aiming to reach EPC band C or above.

🧠 7. Add Smart Energy Controls

Smart meters, thermostats, and zoning systems allow better control over energy use.

These systems:

Reduce unnecessary energy consumption
Improve efficiency scores during assessment
Enhance comfort and convenience

🚪 8. Reduce Draughts and Air Leaks

Draught-proofing doors, windows, and chimneys is a low-cost way to improve efficiency.

Focus on:

Letterboxes
Gaps around doors and frames
Unused chimneys

Small fixes can make a measurable difference in EPC results.

🔌 9. Upgrade Hot Water Systems

Your hot water setup affects your EPC score more than you might think.

Fit an insulated hot water cylinder
Install efficient water heaters
Use low-flow taps and showers

This also supports compliance with Water Efficiency Calculations where required.

📋 10. Get a New EPC After Improvements

Once you’ve made upgrades, always renew your EPC. Many property owners miss out on a higher rating simply because their certificate hasn’t been updated.

A new EPC ensures:

Your improvements are reflected accurately
You can market your property with a better rating
You stay compliant with regulations

👉 Learn more about EPCs here: What Is an EPC and Why Is It Important?

🏡 Which Improvements Give the Best Return?

The biggest EPC gains typically come from:

Insulation upgrades
Heating system improvements
Renewable energy installations

Combining multiple smaller upgrades often delivers the best cost-to-benefit ratio.

📞 Need Help Improving Your EPC Rating?

At Assessment Hive, we don’t just issue EPCs — we help you understand how to improve them. Whether you’re preparing to sell, rent, or future-proof your property, our expert assessors can guide you every step of the way.

Call us on 020 7183 3240
Email us at [email protected]
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