Energy performance (EPC)
An Energy Performance Certificate rates a home from A to G, with running costs and improvement potential — a quick read on efficiency and future bills.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a standardised assessment of how energy-efficient a home is. It is one of the few objective, comparable measures available before you buy, and it points directly at running costs and the work a property might need — increasingly relevant for both bills and future regulation.
EPCs are published on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register (MHCLG). Every marketed or rented property should have a valid EPC, generally lasting ten years. The certificate rates efficiency from A (best) to G (worst) and estimates running costs and improvement potential.
What an EPC tells you
Beyond the headline A–G rating, an EPC records the current and potential efficiency, estimated energy costs, floor area, the approximate construction age, the main heating system, and a list of recommended improvements with indicative costs and savings. It is a practical starting point for understanding a home’s comfort, its likely bills, and what upgrading it might involve.
How EPC fits into a screening
EPC data can be included directly for an address from the open register. Where it is configured, we show the rating, potential and key attributes alongside the rest of the report; where it is not, we note it as an available add-on rather than leaving a gap. Either way you can look up any address yourself on the public register.
What it means for you
A poor EPC is not a reason to walk away, but it is a reason to budget: insulation, heating and glazing upgrades cost money and take time. For landlords, minimum energy-efficiency standards make the rating a compliance matter. For owner -occupiers, the recommendations show the cheapest route to a warmer, cheaper-to-run home — and improvements can lift both comfort and value.
Know the risks before you commit
An instant, plain-English flood & environmental screen for any address in England — a fast, low-cost first look before you spend on surveys or searches.