Seventy-seven per cent of homeowners now say an EPC rating will be important when they next move home, a survey by the Daily Echo has found. That is a jump from roughly half a decade ago, and it reflects a simple reality: energy costs are no longer abstract. A D-rated three-bed semi costs about £1,200 more a year to heat than a C-rated equivalent, according to Energy Saving Trust figures. Buyers are doing the maths.
The survey, reported by the Daily Echo, shows a shift that estate agents have seen coming. The days when buyers ignored loft insulation or single glazing are over. The catch is that many sellers are unprepared.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
EPC ratings run from A to G, with the UK average hovering around D. For homes built before 1990, roughly two-thirds of the housing stock, getting to C often requires significant work. Cavity wall insulation costs £500–£1,500 installed. Loft insulation, typically £300–£700, pays for itself in two to three years. Double glazing is the big ticket: £4,000–£10,000 for a typical three-bed semi.
But the government’s Great British Insulation Scheme offers grants up to £1,500 for low-income households, and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme covers £7,500 off a heat pump. Ofgem confirmed in July that 2024–25 applications rose 40% on the previous year. The catch: wait times for installers in some regions stretch to six months.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Take a 1990s semi in Milton Keynes with an EPC rating of E. Annual gas and electricity bills run about £2,800 at current price cap rates. Upgrading to C, through cavity wall insulation, 270mm loft insulation, and A-rated double glazing, would cost roughly £6,000–£9,000. The annual bill then drops to about £1,900, a saving of £900. Over ten years, that is £9,000 saved, plus the property value uplift of £15,000–£20,000 that estate agents typically cite for a two-band improvement.
The numbers work for most owners who plan to sell within five years. But those staying put should factor in the non-financial benefit: warmer rooms, fewer draughts, and lower carbon emissions.
But the survey misses one big thing
The 77% figure is striking, but it masks a gap. Only 41% of those same homeowners had actually checked their own EPC rating, according to the survey’s underlying data. That suggests many know the rating matters but do not know their own. The fix is simple: check your EPC at gov.uk. If you do not have one, a new assessment costs £60–£120 and takes an hour. Do it before you list the house.
The other blind spot is cost. The survey did not ask how much homeowners would spend to improve their rating. Anecdotal evidence from estate agents suggests most baulk at anything over £5,000. That is short-sighted. A £7,000 investment that lifts a D to a B can add £25,000 to the sale price, a return of more than 250%.
What to do now
If you are selling in the next 12 months, get an EPC assessment today. If your rating is D or below, book a free home energy survey through the Energy Saving Trust. Prioritise loft and cavity wall insulation, they cost the least and save the most. Then consider a heat pump or solar panels if your budget allows. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant does not require a minimum EPC rating, but a better rating means a higher sale price.
Households on standard variable tariffs can check grant eligibility through gov.uk from 1 October. Applications for the Great British Insulation Scheme close on 31 March 2027. The clock is ticking.
Frequently Asked Questions
An EPC assessment typically costs £60–£120 and takes about an hour. You can find accredited assessors through the government's EPC register at gov.uk. The certificate is valid for 10 years.
Yes, you can sell any house regardless of its EPC rating. However, from 2028, rental properties will require a minimum C rating, and buyers increasingly discount low-rated homes. A poor rating can reduce your sale price by 5–10%, estate agents report.
