An Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC, gives you information about the energy performance of a property.
It can help you see where a home may use energy poorly. It can also suggest ways to improve it.
However, an EPC is not your energy bill. So, it does not tell you exactly how much energy you will use or what you will pay.
What Is an EPC?
An EPC is a report about the energy performance of a property.
It looks at parts of the home such as:
- walls
- roof
- floors
- windows
- heating
- hot water
- lighting
- renewable energy
It then gives the property an energy rating.
What Do EPC Ratings Mean?
EPC ratings run from A to G.
A is the best rating.
G is the lowest.
The certificate also gives the property a score.
In general, a higher score means better energy performance.
However, the rating is based on a set method. It is not based on your actual energy bills.
Why Isn’t My EPC the Same as My Bill?
Your EPC looks at the property.
Your energy bill depends on both the property and how you live in it.
For example, your bill can change because of:
- how warm you keep your home
- how many people live there
- how much hot water you use
- how often you are at home
- how you use appliances
- the energy tariff you pay
So, two households living in similar homes can have very different bills.
What Does an EPC Tell You?
Your EPC can give you useful information about the home.
For example, it may tell you about:
- wall construction and insulation
- roof insulation
- windows
- heating system
- heating controls
- hot-water system
- lighting
- possible improvements
So, it can be a useful starting point when looking at energy efficiency.
Check the Property Details
Don’t look only at the letter rating.
Also, check the details used to produce it.
For example, look at what the EPC says about:
- walls
- roof
- floor
- windows
- heating
- hot water
If something looks wrong, don’t ignore it.
An EPC is only as useful as the information used to produce it.
What Are the Recommendations?
An EPC may suggest changes that could improve the property’s energy performance.
These might include:
- adding insulation
- improving heating controls
- changing windows
- improving hot-water insulation
- installing renewable energy
However, a recommendation does not automatically mean you should do the work.
First, check whether it suits your home.
Then, look at the cost and likely benefit.
Check the Cost
Some energy improvements are cheap.
Others can cost a lot of money.
So, before going ahead, ask:
- What will it cost?
- How much energy could it save?
- How much money could it save?
- Will it make the home more comfortable?
- Does it suit the building?
- How long will I stay in the property?
This gives you a much better basis for your decision.
Start With Insulation
If the EPC shows poor insulation, look at where heat may be escaping.
For example, it may point to the:
- loft
- walls
- floors
- windows
However, don’t assume every suggested change is suitable.
Older homes, in particular, may need more care when insulation is added.
Learn more: Insulation and Heat Loss →
Check the Heating
Your EPC may also tell you about the heating system and its controls.
For example, it may show the type of boiler or heating system in the property.
It may also suggest better heating controls.
So, use this information to understand what you already have before thinking about replacing it.
Learn more: Heating & Hot Water →
What About Solar and Heat Pumps?
An EPC may suggest bigger changes, such as solar panels or a heat pump.
These may be worth looking at.
However, they need more thought than a simple change to a light bulb or heating control.
For example, you may need to consider:
- your property
- your heating system
- available space
- installation cost
- likely energy use
- possible savings
So, treat the EPC recommendation as a starting point for further checks.
Learn more: Is Renewable Energy Right for Your Home? →
Can an EPC Be Wrong?
An EPC can sometimes contain information that does not match what you expect.
For example, work may have been carried out after the EPC was made.
Or some parts of the property may have been hard to check.
So, if something looks wrong, investigate it before making an expensive decision.
Don’t assume that every detail on an older EPC still describes the home today.
How Long Does an EPC Last?
An EPC normally remains valid for 10 years.
However, the home can change during that time.
For example, you may have:
- added insulation
- replaced windows
- changed the boiler
- installed solar panels
- changed the heating system
So, always check the date of the certificate.
An EPC that is still valid may not show recent improvements.
Where Can You Find Your EPC?
If a property has an EPC, you can usually search for it online through the official government service.
You normally need the property address or postcode.
How Should You Use Your EPC?
Don’t treat the EPC as a shopping list.
Instead, use it to ask better questions.
Start with:
What does it say about my home?
Then ask:
Is that information still correct?
Next:
Where are the biggest problems?
And finally:
Which improvements make sense for my home and budget?
That turns the EPC into a useful starting point rather than a list of jobs to buy.
Key Points
Most importantly, use your EPC as a guide to understand your home, then decide which improvements make sense for your property and budget.
An EPC tells you about the energy performance of a property.
EPC ratings run from A to G, with A being the best and G the lowest.
An EPC is not your energy bill. Your actual energy use also depends on how you live, how much energy you use and the tariff you pay.
Don’t look only at the letter rating. Check what the EPC says about the walls, roof, floors, windows, heating and hot water.
Check that the property details look correct. The EPC is only as useful as the information used to produce it.
Treat EPC recommendations as a starting point. A suggested improvement does not automatically mean it is right for your home.
Compare the cost with the likely benefit before paying for energy improvements.
Think about comfort as well as savings. Some improvements may make your home warmer and more comfortable even if the financial payback takes longer.
Take extra care with major work, especially insulation, heating changes, solar panels and heat pumps.
Check the date of your EPC. It normally remains valid for 10 years, but your home may have changed since it was produced.
Recent improvements may not appear on an older EPC, even if the certificate is still valid.
Investigate anything that looks wrong before making an expensive decision based on the EPC.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
Energility may receive a commission or other benefit from some links or services. Where this applies, we aim to make it clear. This does not increase the price you pay unless stated otherwise.
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