Seventy-seven percent of UK homeowners now say an EPC rating will influence their next move. That figure, from a survey reported by AOL.co.uk, is not a surprise to estate agents in the South East, where a C-rated semi now commands a 5-8% premium over an E-rated equivalent. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that upgrading from an E to a C can save a typical three-bedroom home around £500 a year on gas and electricity. That is real money.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
The survey of 2,000 homeowners, conducted by a mortgage lender, found that younger buyers (under 35) were most likely to prioritise EPC, 84% said it was important, compared with 68% of those over 55. The catch is that 40% of the UK’s housing stock still sits at D or below, according to government data from 2023. That means millions of homes are effectively being discounted before they even reach the market. For sellers, the message is blunt: a low EPC rating is a liability.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Ofgem’s typical domestic consumption values (12,000 kWh gas, 2,900 kWh electricity) provide a benchmark. A home rated E (bands 39-54) uses roughly 25% more energy than a C-rated (69-80) home of the same size. At current price cap rates of 24.5p per kWh for electricity and 6.2p for gas, that gap is about £420 a year. Add standing charges, and the difference exceeds £500. Over a five-year mortgage term, that is £2,500 in extra costs, money that could have gone toward a heat pump or solar panels.
Grants and upgrades that actually work
The government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme now offers £7,500 toward an air-source heat pump, enough to cover most installation costs for a typical semi. The Great British Insulation Scheme provides free or heavily discounted loft and cavity wall insulation for low-income households. Solar panel grants under the ECO4 programme can also improve EPC scores by up to 10 points. But the key is timing: applications for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme close on 31 March 2027, and installers are already reporting backlogs in some regions.
Yet the survey also found that 55% of homeowners had no idea what their current EPC rating was. That is a blind spot. An EPC costs between £60 and £120 and takes about an hour. For anyone thinking of selling in the next two years, it is the cheapest investment they can make.
What this means for your next move
Buyers should now factor EPC into their offer. A D-rated home may need £5,000-£10,000 of work to reach a C, depending on the property’s age and construction. Sellers should get an EPC done now, then target the cheapest improvements first: loft insulation (costs about £300, saves £50 a year) and LED lighting (costs £50, saves £35 a year). For those with deeper pockets, a heat pump plus solar panels can lift a D to a B, and add thousands to the sale price.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check their EPC via gov.uk. The next price cap announcement is due in February 2025, and analysts expect another small rise. Improving your rating now is the only way to lock in lower bills before the next increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
An EPC assessment typically costs between £60 and £120, depending on your property size and location. The assessment takes about an hour and the certificate is valid for 10 years.
Adding 270mm of loft insulation (costs about £300-£400) and upgrading to LED lighting (around £50) can often lift a D to a C. Cavity wall insulation (if applicable) costs £500-£1,000 and adds a further 5-10 points.
