How to Improve Your EPC Rating: 10 Proven Ways to Boost Your Score
Whether you're selling, letting, or simply cutting your energy bills, a better EPC rating means a more valuable, efficient home. Here are the 10 most effective measures — ranked by cost and impact.
Understanding the EPC Rating Scale
An Energy Performance Certificate rates your home on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating is expressed as a number from 1 to 100 — the higher the number, the more energy-efficient your home is. Most UK properties currently sit at band D or E, with an average score of around 63.
| Band | Score | Description | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 92–100 | Most efficient | £500–£800 |
| B | 81–91 | Very efficient | £800–£1,200 |
| C | 69–80 | Good | £1,200–£1,800 |
| D | 55–68 | Average | £1,800–£2,600 |
| E | 39–54 | Below average | £2,600–£3,500 |
| F | 21–38 | Poor | £3,500–£5,000 |
| G | 1–20 | Least efficient | £5,000+ |
The 10 Most Effective Improvements, Ranked
Loft Insulation
Up to 25% of heat is lost through an uninsulated roof. Adding 270mm of mineral wool insulation to your loft is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to raise your EPC score. The work can often be completed in a single day and the payback period is typically under two years. Most homes built before 2000 will benefit.
Grants available: Many households qualify for free or heavily subsidised loft insulation under the ECO4 scheme, particularly if you receive means-tested benefits or live in a low-income area.
Compare Insulation Quotes
Proper insulation is the most cost-effective way to cut energy bills and improve your EPC rating. Compare quotes from local Checkatrade-approved installers.
Typical saving: £150–£300/year on heating bills
Compare QuotesCavity Wall Insulation
Around 35% of heat escapes through uninsulated walls. If your home was built between 1920 and 1990 it almost certainly has cavity walls. The installation is non-intrusive — installers drill small holes in the external brickwork and pump in mineral wool or polystyrene beads, usually in under four hours.
Note: Cavity wall insulation is not suitable for every property. A surveyor should check that the wall cavity is at least 50mm wide, dry, and free from structural problems first.
Boiler Replacement (A-Rated Condensing Boiler)
If your boiler is more than 10 years old it is likely running at 70–80% efficiency. A modern A-rated condensing boiler converts over 90% of fuel into usable heat. The EPC improvement will depend on your current boiler — switching from a G-rated boiler delivers the largest gains.
Grants available: Low-income households may qualify for a free boiler under ECO4. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air source heat pump if you're ready to make the switch away from gas.
Get a Fixed-Price Boiler Quote
A new A-rated condensing boiler can cut your heating bills by up to 30%. BOXT offers fixed-price quotes online with next-day installation available.
Typical saving: £200–£350/year on gas bills
Get a Fixed QuoteSolar Panels
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generate electricity from daylight and can significantly boost your EPC score. They are particularly effective at moving a property from band D to C or from C to B. You can also earn money from surplus electricity through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which pays export tariffs of typically 4–12p per kWh.
Grants available: Free solar panels are available to low-income households and those in fuel poverty via the ECO4 scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Get Free Solar Panel Quotes
Solar panels can generate free electricity and earn you money through the Smart Export Guarantee. Compare quotes from MCS-certified installers and see your estimated payback period.
Typical saving: £300–£700/year on electricity bills
Get Free QuotesDouble Glazing
Replacing single-glazed windows with double or triple glazing reduces heat loss through glass by around 50%. The EPC impact is modest compared to insulation, but the comfort improvement is significant. Look for windows with an A or A+ Window Energy Rating.
Draught Proofing
Sealing gaps around doors, windows, letterboxes, and floorboards is the cheapest single improvement you can make. The materials cost under £20 as a DIY job. Not a major EPC mover on its own, but it pairs well with every other measure.
LED Lighting Throughout
Modern EPC assessments now include lighting. Replacing all remaining incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED equivalents is a quick win. A full house of LEDs uses around 75% less electricity for the same light output.
Heating Controls (Thermostat & TRVs)
A programmable room thermostat, thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs), and a hot water cylinder thermostat give EPC assessors evidence that your heating system is properly controlled. Smart thermostats such as Nest or Hive are also accepted.
Air Source Heat Pump
Heat pumps extract warmth from outdoor air and deliver it at 3–4 times the efficiency of a gas boiler. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a £7,500 government voucher. They work best in well-insulated homes, so combine with insulation measures first.
Solid Wall Insulation (Internal or External)
Around six million UK homes have solid walls with no cavity — these are much harder to insulate but the gains are the largest available. External insulation wraps the outside of the building; internal dry-lining reduces room size slightly. Both are eligible for funding under ECO4.
UK Grants for Home Energy Improvements
ECO4 Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income and fuel-poor households. You may qualify if you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or other means-tested benefits — or if your home is in an area of fuel poverty. Measures covered include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, and boiler replacement. Apply through your energy supplier or via the government's ECO4 portal.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Homeowners in England and Wales can receive a £7,500 grant towards the cost of an air source heat pump or £7,500 for a ground source heat pump. The scheme is open to any homeowner — you do not need to be on benefits. Applications are made through an MCS-certified installer.
Great British Insulation Scheme
Launched in 2023, this scheme targets properties in EPC bands D–G. It funds a single insulation measure per property — typically loft or cavity wall insulation. Unlike ECO4, it is not restricted to benefit recipients: households with a council tax band of A–D may also qualify.
Finance Your Home Improvements
Energy improvements like solar, insulation, and boiler replacement can cost £2,000–£15,000. Compare personal loans from top UK lenders — get a quote in minutes with no impact on your credit score.
Estimated improvement cost: £300–£20,000 depending on measures chosen
Compare Loan RatesNot Sure Where Your Property Stands?
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