Unlocking EPC Scoring to Save Landlords Money

Here’s how landlords can unlock the points system on an energy performance certificate (EPC) to ensure they do not spend more money than they need to when upgrading to reach an EPC C-grade.

Understanding how points are allocated to EPC improvements can save landlords a fortune.

Knowing how improvements are graded is vital. A 2030 deadline dictates that privately rented homes must score enough points for a mandatory C grade. Homes that fail to make the grade must not be rented out.

However, there’s no point sending thousands of pounds on energy efficiency measures if the home scores a D but is only one point short of moving up to a C.

How does EPC scoring work?

To receive an EPC grade, a property’s energy efficiency is first scored, such as points for insulation. Then, the individual marks are added to give the property an overall score, which translates into the EPC grade.

The marks required for each grade are:

• A = 92-100 points
• B = 81-91 points
• C = 69-80 points
• D = 55-68 points
• E = 39-54 points
• F = 21-38 points
• G = 1-20 points

A property needs at least 14 points to move from a D to a C grade, ranging from the lowest D grade score of 55 to the lowest C grade score of 69.

Most of these points can be scored from improved insulation, which gives four to 20 points and is one of the cheapest energy efficiency upgrades. Even topping up existing insulation is often worth up to five points.

Changing the lighting is another cheap low-soring upgrade, adding one or two points to an EPC score.

Installing new front and back doors and double or triple glazing adds five to ten points to the score but costs several thousand pounds. Thus, it is not a cost-effective upgrade unless there is a need to make the change besides energy efficiency.

Heating upgrades, such as a new boiler, smart radiator valves, and intelligent controls, have the most significant impact on an EPC score, up to 40 points. Like changing doors and windows, a new heating system costs thousands and is unlikely to be cost-effective if the property has a working central heating system. A new boiler is worth between 20 and 40 EPC points.

Installing solar panels can boost an EPC rating by up to 10 points while providing cheaper energy for the home. Rural property owners can consider wind turbines to produce green energy.

What does an EPC inspection look for?

The government has published a 234-page guide telling inspectors exactly how to conduct an EPC inspection.

The inspection will look at:

• Property type, age and construction
• Insulation
• Wall thicknesses
• Heating systems and controls
• Hot water cylinder and insulation
• Any secondary heating systems
• Floor construction
• Window type
• Lighting

Spending money on other energy efficiency upgrades may please tenants but is unlikely to change the EPC score.

Will a higher EPC rating put the property price up?

Property portal Rightmove analysed the prices of 200,000 homes and found that those with D to G rankings upgraded to an EPC C, which added an average of 16 per cent to the value.