If you’re a homeowner in the UK, your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating might seem like just another bit of admin to sort when you list your home for sale. But that little letter, from A to G, is becoming an important factor for your property’s value.
In short: better EPC supports a higher house price. The evidence isn’t just anecdotal – there’s now a growing pile of data to prove it. Upgrading your EPC can be a smart investment, and Green Home Guide can support you with a tailored plan to boost your property’s EPC rating.
The Evidence: EPC Ratings and Property Value
Let’s look at what the research says.
In 2023, Rightmove analysed 300,000 homes that had sold twice in the previous 15 years and improved their EPC rating in between. The additional uplift in value from EPC improvements – over and above local house price growth – is stark:
- F to C: +16% (around £55k across the sample)
- E to C: +8% (around £28k across the sample)
- D to C: +4% (around £14k across the sample)
These results are backed up in a study by Oxford Economics (2024), which despite using a different calculation method found that homes rated A/B sell for an average 3.4% premium compared to those rated D. That aligns neatly with Rightmove’s +4% for a D to C upgrade.
In plain English? If your property is sitting below EPC C, there’s potentially a five-figure financial incentive to bring it up to scratch.
EPC C: The Most Critical Threshold
Moving to EPC C is where the biggest leap in value tends to happen, especially for properties starting at E-G. Why? Because EPC C is fast becoming the new baseline.
This shift is being driven by a combination of factors:
- Proposed new regulations will require all rented homes to meet EPC C by 2028 for new tenancies and by 2030 for existing ones (read more about that here). Because of this, fewer landlords are interested in homes rated below C because they’re seen as future liabilities.
- At the same time, home buyers and renters are getting more energy conscious. Energy prices have significantly increased in recent years and people are looking for homes that offer lower bills and better comfort.
The result? Homes already rated EPC C or above are increasingly in demand, and if you fall foul of EPC C then you could see your property increasingly become a stranded asset that is discounted in value and harder to sell due to a shrinking pool of prospective buyers.
The data backs it up:
- 61% of homebuyers are more likely to make an offer on a property if it has an EPC rating of C or above (Mortgage Advice Bureau, 2025)
- Rightmove reports that green features like EV chargers and EPC A–C ratings are appearing in listings more than ever (Rightmove, 2023)
- 61% of landlords say they would not buy a rental property below an EPC C (Rightmove, 2023)
- Renters are willing to pay a 13% rent premium for an energy efficient property (Legal & General, 2022)
So, whether you’re planning to sell or stay put, getting to EPC C makes your home more desirable and more valuable.
Your Next Step: Think Long-Term Value
Whether you’re selling, re-mortgaging, or simply trying to futureproof your home, upgrading your EPC rating is a smart investment. It improves comfort, reduces bills, and can boost your property’s market value.
Want help figuring out which improvements will move the EPC needle the most? Join the Green Home Guide waitlist. Our tool (launching soon) will create a personalised plan tailored to your home, budget, and goals. Join the Green Home Guide waitlist here.
References
Let’s make energy efficiency pay off for your wallet and the planet!
- Rightmove, Greener Homes Report (2023): https://www.rightmove.co.uk/guides/content/uploads/2023/07/Rightmove_Greener_Homes_Report_2023.pdf
- Oxford Economics, The growing importance of energy efficiency in home buying decisions (2024): https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/the-growing-importance-of-energy-efficiency-in-home-buying-decisions/
- MEES consultation for private rented sector (Feb 7–May 2, 2025): https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-consultation-document-html
- Mortgage Advice Bureau, A good EPC rating could boost property sales as 61% of future buyers would be more inclined to make an offer (2025): https://www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/research/a-good-epc-rating-could-boost-property-sales-as-61-of-future-buyers-would-be-more-inclined-to-make-an-offer/
- Legal & General, Research shows buyers will pay up to 20% premium for low-carbon homes (2022): https://group.legalandgeneral.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/legal-general-research-shows-buyers-will-pay-up-to-20-premium-for-low-carbon-homes