An EPC rating is a score that shows how energy-efficient a home is. It's the headline result on an Energy Performance Certificate, expressed as a letter from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least.
The rating gives you a quick sense of how much energy a home needs to stay warm, and how expensive it is to run.
What the EPC rating measures
The rating is based on a government calculation called the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). It looks at:
- How well the home keeps heat in (insulation, walls, roof)
- How efficient the heating system is (boiler, heat pump, controls)
- How the home is built (materials, glazing, airtightness)
- Any renewable tech (solar panels, heat pumps)
- Lighting efficiency
It's not about your personal energy use; it's about the building itself. That's why the rating is only indicative of real energy consumption.
The EPC scale (A–G)
- A (92–100)
- Very efficient; typically new builds or fully upgraded homes. Lowest running costs.
- B (81–91)
- High efficiency, good insulation, and modern systems.
- C (69–80)
- The government's long-term target for most homes. Reasonable running costs.
- D (55–68)
- Average UK home. Likely higher bills and room for improvement.
- E (39–54)
- Expensive to heat; older insulation and less efficient heating.
- F (21–38)
- Very inefficient; common in older, unimproved properties.
- G (1–20)
- Extremely inefficient; high running costs.
Why the EPC rating matters
- Running costs: Lower-rated homes lose heat faster, making energy bills higher.
- Comfort: A good rating usually means fewer cold spots and draughts.
- Selling or renting: Estate agents must display the EPC rating when marketing a home.
- Borrowing & rules: Some lenders restrict buy-to-let mortgages on low-rated homes.
- Upgrade planning: The rating points you to the biggest wins for insulation or heating improvements.
Where to find your home's EPC rating
All EPCs are stored in the official government register for England and Wales. Estate agents and sellers must provide the rating when marketing a property.
You can find your homes EPC rating by searching UK Property Lookers database.
Reflective question
If your home's rating isn't where you want it to be, which upgrade would you tackle first — insulation, heating, or something simpler?
How accurate is an EPC rating?
It isn't a deep structural survey, but it gives a reliable baseline. EPCs use standard assumptions rather than your personal habits, so the rating is best used for comparison and planning improvements rather than predicting exact bills.
Do you need help finding someone to carry out an EPC?
Share a few details about your home, and our UK Property Looker assistant will help you find qualified assessors who can visit your property and issue an official EPC.