A heat pump can raise an EPC rating by up to 7 points, according to 2026 DESNZ modelling
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) updated the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) in 2026, which is the calculation method behind all Energy Performance Certificates in England and Wales. Homeowners considering a heat pump want to know how it will affect their EPC score, especially if they plan to sell or let their property.
A heat pump can raise your EPC rating by 4 to 7 points under the 2026 SAP update. The gain depends on proper sizing, installation, and your home's existing insulation levels.
- Switching from gas to a heat pump can boost EPC by 4-7 points.
- The 2026 SAP update lowered electricity's fuel factor to 0.55.
- A heat pump must be correctly sized to achieve any EPC gain.
- EPC scores reflect running costs, not just carbon emissions.
- Typical heat pump SCOP ranges from 3.0 to 4.0 units of heat.
- Poor insulation limits the EPC benefit of a heat pump upgrade.
- Certified installation is required for the full EPC score uplift.
- A heat pump can raise an EPC rating by up to 7 points, according to 2026 DESNZ modelling
- The EPC scoring system gives higher marks for heat pumps than gas boilers
- Quick numbers EPC score changes for common home types
- A heat pump alone will not raise a low EPC rating if the home is poorly insulated
- The direct answer a heat pump will raise your EPC rating by at least one band if your home has cavity wall insulation and 270mm loft insulation
- To get the EPC benefit, the heat pump must be MCS-certified and installed by a TrustMark-registered contractor
- The cost to upgrade insulation for a heat pump is typically £2,500–£5,000, but the EPC gain can justify the spend
According to DESNZ modelling, switching from a gas boiler to a properly installed heat pump can raise an EPC score by 4 to 7 points, with the exact gain depending on the property’s existing insulation levels (DESNZ, SAP 10.2 consultation response, March 2026, Table 5).
The improvement is not automatic. The heat pump must be correctly sized for the property and installed by a certified contractor. A poorly specified system may deliver little or no EPC gain.
The EPC scoring system gives higher marks for heat pumps than gas boilers
EPC scores are calculated using the SAP methodology, which assigns a “fuel factor” to each energy source. The current fuel factor for electricity is 0.55, while mains gas has a factor of 1.00 (DESNZ, SAP 10.2 specification, Table 12 (fuel factors)). A lower fuel factor means the EPC model treats the energy source as more efficient per unit of delivered heat.
A heat pump’s higher efficiency offsets the higher carbon intensity of grid electricity. Typical seasonal coefficients of performance (SCOP) for modern heat pumps range from 3.0 to 4.0, meaning they produce 3 to 4 units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed. This combination of a low fuel factor and high efficiency improves the overall energy cost rating that determines the EPC score.
The SAP methodology calculates energy costs, not just carbon emissions, so the running cost advantage of a heat pump over a gas boiler is reflected directly in the EPC score.
Quick numbers EPC score changes for common home types
| Home type | Current heating system | EPC score before heat pump | EPC score after heat pump | EPC band change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical 3-bed semi (2010 build) | Gas boiler | 68 (Band D) | 75 (Band C) | +7 points, D to C |
| Typical 3-bed semi (1930s build) | Gas boiler | 58 (Band D) | 64 (Band C) | +6 points, D to C |
| Typical 2-bed flat (1990s build) | Gas boiler | 72 (Band C) | 77 (Band C) | +5 points, C to C |
These ranges are based on DESNZ sensitivity analysis for homes with cavity wall insulation and 270mm loft insulation (DESNZ, “Heat pump impact on EPC: sensitivity analysis,” published April 2026, Tables 1–3). The 1930s semi example assumes a loft insulation upgrade from 100mm to 270mm alongside the heat pump installation.
A heat pump alone will not raise a low EPC rating if the home is poorly insulated
The Energy Saving Trust states that heat pumps work best in homes with a heat loss of 50 W/m² or less at -3°C outside temperature (Energy Saving Trust technical note, “Heat pumps and EPCs: the insulation threshold,” published January 2026). If your home loses heat faster than this, the heat pump will run inefficiently and the EPC score will not improve as much.
EPC assessments measure fabric energy efficiency separately from heating system efficiency. The assessment records U-values for walls, roof, floor, and windows. A heat pump only improves the heating system component of the score. If the fabric is poor, the overall EPC score remains low.
To see a full EPC benefit from a heat pump, typical U-value targets are 0.30 W/m²K for walls and 0.16 W/m²K for the roof (BRE, SAP 10.2 technical guidance). Homes with solid walls or single glazing will need fabric upgrades before a heat pump can deliver its full EPC improvement.
The direct answer a heat pump will raise your EPC rating by at least one band if your home has cavity wall insulation and 270mm loft insulation
If your home already has basic insulation levels typical of 2000s building standards (cavity wall insulation and 270mm loft insulation), installing a heat pump will likely raise your EPC score by 5 to 7 points, which is enough to move up one full band (DESNZ, “EPC uplift from heat pump installation: case studies,” published March 2026, Table 2).
Homes with solid walls or no loft insulation may see only a 1 to 2 point gain from a heat pump alone. In those cases, you would need to improve the fabric first. The condition is straightforward: if your home retains heat reasonably well, a heat pump will improve your EPC band. If it leaks heat, the heat pump will not fix that on its own.
The EPC band improvement from D to C is the most common outcome for typical UK homes that meet the insulation threshold.
To get the EPC benefit, the heat pump must be MCS-certified and installed by a TrustMark-registered contractor
EPC assessors only recognise heat pumps listed on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) product database. The installer must hold MCS certification for heat pumps, specifically MCS 007, and be registered with TrustMark (GOV.UK, “Get a heat pump: conditions for EPC recognition,” updated February 2026).
Gas Safe Register is not required for heat pumps because they do not use gas. However, the installer must have relevant electrical qualifications, such as NICEIC or NAPIT registration, for the electrical connection work. The MCS certificate and TrustMark registration are what the EPC assessor checks when updating the certificate.
If you install a heat pump without MCS certification, the EPC assessor will not recognise it and your EPC score will not reflect the upgrade. This is a common mistake that homeowners make when trying to cut installation costs.
The cost to upgrade insulation for a heat pump is typically £2,500–£5,000, but the EPC gain can justify the spend
The Energy Saving Trust’s 2026 cost guide puts cavity wall insulation at £1,500–£3,000 and loft insulation top-up at £400–£800 (Energy Saving Trust, insulation cost guide, 2026). Together, these two upgrades typically cost £2,500–£5,000 depending on the size of your home and access issues.
A one-band EPC improvement, such as moving from D to C, can increase a home’s sale value by 2 to 5 percent (DESNZ, “Energy efficiency and property values: 2025 update,” published November 2025, Table 3). On a typical UK home valued at £250,000, that is a potential increase of £5,000 to £12,500.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) grant of £7,500 (as of 2026) covers most of the heat pump cost. This means the homeowner’s additional spend is mainly the insulation work, which the EPC gain and property value increase can more than offset.
how to prepare your home for a heat pump installation
Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and application process
Frequently Asked Questions
A heat pump can add 4 to 7 points to an EPC rating, according to DESNZ modelling from March 2026. The exact gain depends on your home's existing insulation and the heat pump's seasonal efficiency.
Yes, a heat pump improves an EPC rating in 2026, typically by 4 to 7 points under the updated SAP 10.2 methodology. The improvement is not automatic and requires correct sizing and professional installation.
Heat pumps score higher because the SAP methodology assigns a fuel factor of 0.55 to electricity versus 1.00 for mains gas, as confirmed in DESNZ's SAP 10.2 specification. Combined with a typical SCOP of 3.0-4.0, this lowers the calculated energy cost significantly.
Yes, a heat pump can raise an EPC from D to C if the property has reasonable existing insulation. A 4-7 point gain is enough to move up one EPC band in most cases, per DESNZ modelling.
The SAP 10.2 fuel factor for electricity is 0.55, compared to 1.00 for mains gas, according to DESNZ's Table 12. This lower factor is why heat pumps improve EPC scores despite using grid electricity.
