What does EPC mean?

EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate, a rating of how energy efficient a property is.

What EPC stands for

EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It was introduced in England and Wales in 2007 as part of EU regulations aimed at improving energy efficiency across Europe. Even after Brexit, EPCs remain a legal requirement for property transactions in the UK.¹

The certificate provides a standardised way to compare the energy efficiency of different properties. It works similarly to the energy labels you see on appliances like fridges and washing machines, using a colour-coded A-G scale to show how efficient a building is.

What an EPC shows

An Energy Performance Certificate shows two main ratings:²

Current energy rating

What the property scores now, based on its existing features (insulation, boiler, windows, etc.). This is the rating that matters for legal requirements and comparison with other properties.

Potential energy rating

What the property could achieve if you made all the recommended improvements listed on the certificate. This shows the scope for improvement.

The rating is calculated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), a government-approved methodology that estimates annual energy costs per square metre. Properties are scored on a scale of 1-100, which corresponds to letter grades:

• A (92-100) — Very energy efficient (rare, less than 1% of UK homes)
• B (81-91) — Highly efficient (around 5% of homes)
• C (69-80) — Good efficiency (around 20% of homes)
• D (55-68) — Average for the UK (around 40% of homes)
• E (39-54) — Below average (around 20% of homes, minimum for rentals)
• F (21-38) — Poor efficiency (around 5% of homes)
• G (1-20) — Very poor (less than 1% of homes)

The certificate also includes:

• Estimated energy costs — how much it costs to heat and light the property per year
• Environmental impact — CO2 emissions rating on a separate A-G scale
• Recommendations — suggested improvements with estimated costs and potential savings
• Property details — construction type, heating system, insulation, glazing

When you need an EPC

You must have a valid EPC when you:¹

• Sell a property — the EPC must be available to prospective buyers from the point the property is marketed
• Rent out a property — the EPC must be given to prospective tenants before they move in
• Construct a new building — the builder must provide an EPC when the building is completed

An EPC lasts for 10 years, so you can use the same certificate for multiple sales or tenancies. You do not need an EPC if you own your home and are not selling or renting it, though getting one can help you identify where the property loses energy and what improvements would save the most money.

Minimum standards for rental properties

Since April 2020, rental properties in England and Wales must have at least an E rating. Properties rated F or G cannot be let unless they have a valid exemption.³

The government has proposed raising the minimum to C by 2030, which will require many landlords to invest in energy efficiency improvements over the next few years.

How to get an EPC

To get an Energy Performance Certificate, you must hire an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. The assessor visits the property, measures rooms, checks insulation and heating systems, and records window types. The assessment takes 30-60 minutes for a typical house.

The assessor enters the data into government-approved software, which calculates the SAP score and generates the certificate. The certificate is automatically uploaded to the national EPC register and is available to download for free.

A typical EPC costs between £60 and £120, depending on property size and location. To find an accredited assessor, visit the official register at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/find-an-assessor.

If you already have an EPC, you can find it for free on the register by searching your postcode at find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk.