Three in four UK homeowners now say an Energy Performance Certificate rating will influence their next property purchase. That is 77%, up from 54% in 2020, as reported by the Evening Standard. The figure comes from a YouGov poll commissioned by the Home Builders Federation, but its implication is clear: EPCs are no longer a bureaucratic footnote. They are a financial fact.
Why it matters to sellers and buyers
The poll found that 40% of respondents would pay more for a home with an A or B rating, while 38% would rule out a property rated D or below. For a typical three-bed semi in the South East, moving from band D to C cuts annual heating costs by roughly £1,200, according to Energy Saving Trust estimates. That saving capitalises into roughly £15,000 of additional mortgage capacity at current rates. Estate agents report that properties rated C or above sell 8–12% faster than those rated E or F, though regional variation is wide.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
The catch is that 60% of England’s housing stock sits at D or below, government data shows. Older homes, particularly pre-1919 solid-wall properties, are hardest to shift. Owners of such homes can access the Great British Insulation Scheme, which covers up to 100% of cavity wall and loft insulation costs for eligible households. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 off a heat pump installation, which typically lifts a D-rated home to C. For those on low incomes or in fuel poverty, the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) can fund full fabric upgrades including solid wall insulation, a £12,000–£20,000 job that can vault a property from E to C.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Improving an EPC from D to C is not cheap. A typical package, loft insulation (£500), cavity wall fill (£700–£1,500), a new gas boiler or heat pump (£2,500–£7,500 net of grants), and double glazing (£4,000–£8,000), totals £8,000–£17,000. But the payback is threefold: lower bills, higher sale price, and compliance with the government’s proposed minimum EPC C for rented homes by 2028. For owner-occupiers, the 2023 Autumn Statement extended the 0% VAT rate on certain energy-saving materials, including insulation and heat pumps, until 2027. That saves roughly £1,000 on a typical installation.
What this misses
The poll only asked about moving, it did not test whether owners would upgrade before selling. Industry data from Rightmove suggests fewer than 15% of sellers make EPC-related improvements before listing. Many still hope the buyer will take the problem on. That calculus is changing. Mortgage lenders including Nationwide and Barclays now offer lower rates for homes rated A–C, and the government’s Future Homes Standard, due in 2025, will mandate heat pumps in all new builds. The market is moving. Owners who wait may find their property discounted twice: once by the buyer and once by the bank.
Households considering a pre-sale upgrade can check eligibility for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme at gov.uk and the Great British Insulation Scheme through their energy supplier. A full EPC assessment costs £60–£120 and is valid for 10 years. Booking one now, before the spring selling season, gives time to act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typical costs range from £8,000 to £17,000 for a three-bed semi, depending on existing insulation, glazing, and heating system. Grants such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (£7,500) and Great British Insulation Scheme (up to full cost for eligible households) can reduce the outlay significantly.
Not legally for owner-occupied sales, but 38% of buyers would rule out a D-rated or below property, and lenders increasingly offer preferential rates for A–C homes. A low rating may reduce the pool of buyers and the achievable sale price by 5–10% in some regions.
