How to improve your home's EPC rating
Upgrading your property to become more energy-efficient can make long-term financial sense in terms of reducing bills. But it’s also important if you’re planning to rent out your home in the future. That’s because new legislation means that landlords will only be allowed to let properties with an EPC rating of C or above from 31st December 2025.
Of course, an energy-efficient home will reduce you or your tenants’ carbon footprint – a win for the environment too. If you don’t already have an EPC rating, you can arrange for an accredited energy assessor to calculate your energy usage per square meter.
They’ll consider a range of factors, including your boiler’s efficiency, the type of heating system you use, and the quality of your insulation. The amount of money you’ll need to invest may depend on the condition of your home. For example, while the average UK dwelling is rated D, new builds are 60% more efficient on average than older houses.
If your property has limited insulation, this is a great place to begin. Filling your wall cavities – which only takes a few hours – can reduce heat wastage by 35%, while insulating your loft can prevent a quarter of your heating from leaking through the roof.
Spending extra money now on a modern boiler and installing double or triple glazing can also make a difference to your bills. Cheaper options include sealing off gaps around your doors, windows, and floorboards, and replacing your bulbs with low-energy alternatives.
Worried about financing the improvements? Under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get £5,000 towards buying and installing an air source heat pump or biomass boiler. The Energy Company Obligation scheme will also pay for new boilers, glazing and insulation if you’re on qualifying benefits, such as Universal Credits.
In case you’re wondering, a high EPC rating can improve the value of your property – whether you’re intending to sell or let.
Whatever your situation, we’re always on hand to offer advice. Contact us today to discuss your EPC or book a valuation.
