An EPC rating is a review of a property’s energy efficiency. If you have a property with a poor EPC rating, then you are likely spending more than you should be on heating and energy costs, and you may find it more difficult if you are trying to sell or rent out the property.

If you are wondering how you can improve your EPC rating, we’ve put together a few suggestions that will help to make your home more energy efficient.

External Wall Insulation (EWI)

One sure way to improve your EPC rating is to get external wall insulation (EWI) installed. This layered system applies insulation to the exterior walls of your property, helping to keep heat inside the property during cold weather and keep it cool during the hotter months. EWI can reduce your annual heating bills by 50%, which will go a long way to improving your EPC rating. EWI comes with a range of other benefits that you can read about here.

There may also be grants available to help with the installation of energy-efficient home improvements such as EWI, so it’s worth investigating.

Double or triple glazing

Single pane windows allow a lot of heat to escape the property, meaning you’ll be spending a lot on your heating bills trying to counteract that. It’s rare to find constructions with single glazing these days, but if you do have them, you should consider upgrading to double glazing. Even those with double glazing may find that it is not enough, and to further lower the U-value of your windows, an upgrade to triple glazing may be necessary.

Loft insulation

Just like insulating your walls, insulating your loft can go a long way to keeping the heat inside your home and reducing energy wastage. Loft insulation can be relatively inexpensive, depending on the type you choose, and will prevent heat from escaping through the roof.

A new boiler or heat pump

A new, energy-efficient boiler will help to improve your EPC rating, especially if you have an older, less efficient model. An efficient boiler can increase your EPC score by as much as 40 points. If you pair this with smart heating devices, you can make a huge improvement to your EPC rating.

You can also consider switching to a heat pump, which is more environmentally friendly and has lower running costs than a boiler, with a long life span. The only disadvantage is the initial cost of installation.

Solar panels

A great way to improve your EPC rating is to generate your own energy instead of relying solely on the electrical grid. This is where solar panels come in. Solar panels generate renewable, clean energy for your home and require very little maintenance. If you also invest in home solar battery storage, you can enjoy that clean energy even after dark and, by combining solar panels and a heat pump, you can make your home self-sufficient and very eco-friendly.

Switch to LED bulbs

It’s not just heating that affects your EPC rating. Halogen or incandescent light bulbs use more energy to light your home than is necessary, and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs are much more efficient. LED bulbs are also relatively inexpensive, so this is an easy way to start to improve your EPC rating.

 

If your home has a poor EPC rating, you should take action to improve it. By having a more energy-efficient home, you will be more comfortable, spend less on bills and reduce your carbon footprint. If you are renting out a property, it needs to have a minimum rating of E, and the government has proposed that this be increased to a minimum of C by 2025. 

If you are looking to sell your property, then buyers will be more attracted by a home that they don’t have to spend a lot to improve the EPC rating. Whatever way you look at it, it is much better to have an energy-efficient property!

Interested in external wall insulation? You can take a look at what we offer.