Your energy performance certificate (EPC) rating isn't just a legal requirement when selling or renting – it significantly impacts your property's value, running costs, and environmental footprint. With energy bills soaring and buyers increasingly eco-conscious, improving your EPC rating from D to B or higher can add thousands to your property value while cutting your bills dramatically.
At My Local Surveyors Direct, our network of domestic energy assessors regularly advise home owners and home buyers on energy efficiency improvements. In this comprehensive guide, we explain exactly how to boost your EPC rating, which improvements offer the best return on investment, and how the changes could save you money for years to come.
Understanding EPC Ratings
Before diving into improvements, it's important to understand what your EPC certificate actually measures. Domestic energy assessors evaluate your property using a standardised methodology that assesses:
- Insulation quality (walls, roof, floors, glazing)
- Heating system efficiency
- Hot water system
- Lighting
- Renewable energy installations
- Building fabric air-tightness
Properties are rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The average UK home rates around D, but with strategic improvements, most properties can reach C or B. New build properties typically achieve B or A ratings, setting the standard that older homes should aspire to match.
Each EPC also shows your current energy costs and potential savings if you implement all recommendations. This information i required helps you prioritise improvements for maximum impact.
Quick Wins: Low-Cost, High-Impact Improvements
Let's start with the easy wins – improvements that don't require major investment but can boost your rating significantly:
1. Upgrade Your Lighting to LED
Cost: £50-£200 for whole house
Impact: Can improve rating by 1-2 points
Payback: 1-2 years
Replacing all inefficient bulbs with LED lighting is the simplest improvement you can make. LEDs use 75% less energy than halogen bulbs and last 15-25 times longer. Domestic energy assessors note that comprehensive LED installation throughout makes a measurable difference to your EPC score.
2. Install a Modern Thermostat
Cost: £150-£300
Impact: 2-3 EPC points
Payback: 2-3 years
A programmable or smart thermostat allows precise temperature control and scheduling. This prevents heating empty rooms or maintaining temperatures when nobody's home. The efficient service provided by modern thermostats can reduce heating bills by 10-15% while improving your EPC rating.
3. Draught-Proofing
Cost: £100-£300 (DIY) or £200-£600 (professional)
Impact: 1-2 EPC points
Payback: 1-2 years
Sealing gaps around doors, windows, letterboxes, and pipework stops warm air escaping. This is particularly effective in older properties. Focus on:
- Door and window seals
- Letterbox brushes
- Chimney balloons (if fireplace unused)
- Loft hatches
- Service entry points
4. Hot Water Tank Insulation
Cost: £15-£40
Impact: 1 EPC point
Payback: Under 1 year
If you have a hot water cylinder (rather than a combi boiler), adding or upgrading the insulating jacket is one of the cheapest improvements possible. Modern jackets are 80mm thick and dramatically reduce heat loss.
Medium Investment: Significant Rating Improvements
These improvements require more investment but deliver substantial EPC rating increases and energy bill savings:
5. Loft Insulation
Cost: £300-£500 for 270mm depth
Impact: 3-5 EPC points (if currently uninsulated)
Payback: 2-4 years
Heat rises, so inadequate loft insulation means money literally floating away. Current building regulations recommend 270mm of insulation. Many older homes have just 50-100mm or none at all.
When home buyers make contact about properties, one of the first things local surveyors check is loft insulation depth. Upgrading to modern standards is straightforward and offers excellent value. Some suppliers even offer free or subsidised installation through energy company schemes.
6. Cavity Wall Insulation
Cost: £500-£1,500 for typical house
Impact: 5-8 EPC points (if cavities currently empty)
Payback: 3-5 years
Most homes built between 1920 and 1990 have cavity walls – two layers of brick with a gap between. Originally, these cavities were empty, but filling them with insulation dramatically improves energy efficiency.
The work required is minimal – specialists drill small holes, inject insulation foam or beads, then make good. The service provided takes just a few hours and the difference in heat retention is immediately noticeable. Check if your property qualifies for grants before paying full price.
7. Double or Triple Glazing
Cost: £400-£1,200 per window
Impact: 3-6 EPC points for full house
Payback: 10-20 years
Replacing single glazing with modern double or triple glazing significantly improves thermal efficiency. Modern windows also reduce noise and condensation while improving security.
While expensive, this improvement is often necessary anyway due to window deterioration. If you're replacing windows for maintenance reasons, choosing high-performance glazing (Low-E glass with argon gas fill) maximises EPC benefits at little extra cost.
8. Upgraded Heating Controls
Cost: £300-£800
Impact: 2-4 EPC points
Payback: 3-5 years
Beyond basic thermostats, advanced heating controls include:
- Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on each radiator
- Zone controls for different areas
- Weather compensation (adjusts heating based on outside temperature)
- Smart controls with learning algorithms
These allow room-by-room temperature management, preventing waste from heating unused spaces. Building surveyors note that comprehensive heating controls are increasingly expected by buyers and significantly improve EPC ratings.
Major Investments: Transform Your EPC Rating
For properties with poor current ratings, these larger investments can push you into A or B territory:
9. New Boiler Installation
Cost: £2,000-£4,500
Impact: 5-10 EPC points (replacing old inefficient boiler)
Payback: 7-12 years
If your boiler is over 15 years old, it's likely operating at 60-70% efficiency. Modern condensing boilers achieve 90-95% efficiency, dramatically reducing gas consumption.
The survey i required for a new boiler installation should assess your property's heating needs. Oversized boilers waste energy, while undersized ones struggle to heat effectively. Our network can connect you with surveyors who advise on appropriate heating system specifications.
10. Heat Pump Installation
Cost: £8,000-£14,000 (after £7,500 government grant)
Impact: 10-20 EPC points
Payback: 10-20 years (but zero carbon heating)
Air source or ground source heat pumps can transform your EPC rating, potentially reaching A. They're particularly effective in well-insulated properties and can provide both heating and cooling.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 grants, making heat pumps increasingly affordable. However, they require careful planning – properties need good insulation first, and you may need larger radiators or underfloor heating for optimal performance.
11. Solar Panels (PV)
Cost: £4,000-£8,000 for 4kW system
Impact: 5-15 EPC points
Payback: 8-12 years
Solar photovoltaic panels generate electricity, dramatically improving your EPC rating. A typical 4kW system can meet 40-60% of annual electricity needs.
Domestic energy assessors calculate solar contributions based on panel efficiency, orientation, and shading. South-facing roofs with minimal shading deliver best results. With electricity prices high and panel costs falling, solar is increasingly attractive financially as well as environmentally.
12. External Wall Insulation
Cost: £8,000-£15,000
Impact: 8-15 EPC points (solid wall properties)
Payback: 20-30 years (but may be grant-funded)
Properties with solid walls (no cavity) lose heat rapidly. External wall insulation involves fixing insulating boards to external walls, then rendering over them. This creates a thermal envelope around your home.
While expensive, it's highly effective and also improves building appearance and weather protection. Local authorities sometimes offer grants for external wall insulation, particularly in conservation areas or for low-income households.
Prioritising Improvements: Where to Start
With so many options, how do you decide which improvements to tackle first? Consider this hierarchy:
Foundation First: Insulation
Before upgrading heating systems, ensure your property retains heat effectively. There's little point installing an expensive heat pump if heat immediately escapes through uninsulated walls and roof. Prioritise:
- Loft insulation to 270mm
- Cavity wall insulation (if applicable)
- Draught-proofing
- Double glazing (if budget allows)
Next: Heating Efficiency
Once your property is well-insulated, focus on heating:
- Modern thermostat and heating controls
- Boiler upgrade (if over 15 years old)
- Consider heat pump (for new boiler replacements)
Finally: Generation
With insulation and heating optimised, add renewable generation:
- Solar PV panels
- Solar thermal hot water (less common but effective)
Understanding the Numbers: Real EPC Rating Changes
Here's a realistic example of how improvements might affect a typical 1960s three-bed semi-detached house:
Starting position (Rating D, 58 points):
- 100mm loft insulation
- No cavity wall insulation
- Old single glazing
- 15-year-old boiler
- Basic thermostat
- No renewables
After improvements (Rating B, 82 points):
- Loft insulation to 270mm (+3 points)
- Cavity wall insulation filled (+7 points)
- Double glazing throughout (+4 points)
- New A-rated condensing boiler (+6 points)
- Smart thermostat and TRVs (+2 points)
- LED lighting (+1 point)
- 4kW solar PV system (+6 points)
Total investment: Approximately £12,000-£15,000
Annual energy bill saving: £800-£1,200
Property value increase: £5,000-£10,000
Carbon reduction: 2-3 tonnes CO2 per year
Grants and Financial Support
Don't pay full price if you don't have to. Various schemes can help fund energy efficiency improvements:
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation)
Energy suppliers must help fund efficiency improvements for eligible households. If you receive certain benefits or have low income, you may qualify for free or heavily subsidised insulation, boilers, or heating upgrades.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
£7,500 grants available for heat pump installations, making them cost-competitive with new gas boilers.
Local Authority Schemes
Many councils offer grants for specific improvements, particularly external wall insulation in certain areas. Check your local authority website.
Home Upgrade Grant
For off-gas-grid homes, grants up to £10,000-£25,000 available for insulation and low-carbon heating.
When you make contact with domestic energy assessors through My Local Surveyors Direct, they can advise on applicable schemes and connect you with approved installers.
The Business Case: Return on Investment
Energy efficiency improvements offer multiple financial benefits:
Lower Energy Bills
The primary benefit is reduced running costs. Moving from D to B rating typically saves £600-£1,200 annually on energy bills – savings that compound year after year.
Higher Property Value
Research shows properties with A or B ratings command 5-14% price premiums compared to lower-rated equivalents. For a £250,000 property, that's £12,500-£35,000 additional value.
Faster Sales and Lets
Energy-efficient properties sell faster and attract better tenants. With buyers increasingly cost-conscious, good EPC ratings are powerful selling points.
Future-Proofing
Rental regulations already require minimum EPC ratings (currently E, likely to rise to C). Improving now avoids forced upgrades later under less favourable circumstances.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learn from others' experiences and avoid these pitfalls:
- Installing heat pumps in poorly insulated properties: They'll struggle to heat effectively and run inefficiently
- Ignoring building fabric first: New boilers waste potential in draughty, uninsulated homes
- Choosing cheapest installers: Poor installation negates benefits and may cause problems
- Not considering system balance: Individual improvements work best as part of coherent strategy
- Forgetting ventilation: Sealed, insulated homes need controlled ventilation to prevent condensation
Frequently Asked Questions
Will improving my EPC rating really increase my property value?
Yes, studies consistently show premium values for energy-efficient homes. The exact amount varies by location and market, but typically 5-10% for A/B rated properties compared to D/E equivalents. This reflects both lower running costs and buyer preferences.
How long does an EPC last?
EPCs are valid for 10 years unless the property undergoes significant energy efficiency work. You can get a new assessment any time to reflect improvements, though this costs £60-£120.
Can I do the work myself to save money?
Some improvements (LED bulbs, draught-proofing, loft insulation topping-up) are DIY-friendly. However, major work like boiler installation, cavity wall insulation, or heat pumps must be done by certified professionals. Poorly installed improvements may not deliver expected benefits and could cause problems.
What rating should I aim for?
B is increasingly considered the baseline for modern expectations. It's achievable for most properties with strategic investment and offers excellent return through reduced bills and increased value. A ratings are possible but require significant investment, typically only cost-effective for new builds or comprehensive retrofits.
How much will improving from D to B cost?
Costs vary enormously based on property type, current condition, and chosen improvements. Expect £8,000-£15,000 for comprehensive upgrades on a typical house. However, focused improvements targeting biggest weaknesses might achieve B rating for £5,000-£8,000. Get a detailed assessment from domestic energy assessors to create a tailored improvement plan.
Get Expert Energy Efficiency Advice
Improving your EPC rating is one of the smartest investments you can make in your property. It cuts bills, increases value, improves comfort, and reduces your carbon footprint. But with so many options, expert guidance ensures you invest wisely.
My Local Surveyors Direct connects you with accredited domestic energy assessors across the UK who can:
- Assess your current EPC rating and identify biggest opportunities
- Recommend prioritised improvement schedules
- Estimate costs and payback periods for different options
- Advise on available grants and schemes
- Connect you with approved installers
- Carry out new EPC assessments after improvements
Most customers receive really fast response when they wish to contact us – typically within 24 hours of initial enquiry. Our network of suppliers includes energy assessors who provide a comprehensive range of services from basic EPCs to detailed energy strategies.
Ready to improve your property's energy efficiency? Contact My Local Surveyors Direct today and we'll connect you with qualified domestic energy assessors in your local area. Discover which improvements will deliver the best return for your property and start saving money while increasing your home's value.
Don't wait for energy bills to rise further or regulations to tighten. Take control of your property's performance today with expert guidance from accredited energy assessors.