UK households warned they will have to pay £26,000 'depending on EPC band'

Households have been warned they will need to pay £26,000 depending on their EPC band. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were designed as a simple way for potential buyers and renters to compare the energy efficiency of homes.

Which? has conducted a study which found UK households are having several improvements recommended to increase their band. It includes internal or external wall insulation , suspended floor insulation and solar water heating as well as solar panels.

One homeowner, Megan, says she would have to pay out £26,700 to afford all the improvements - and she would only see the property rise by one band from D to C. She could save around £920 a year through installing all these energy efficiency measures - meaning it could take up to 29 years to recover the cost.

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Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “With millions of families worried about high energy bills and the UK facing a big challenge to transition to low carbon heating, Energy Performance Certificates could be a helpful tool for consumers looking to save money and improve their home's efficiency in the future.

“However, our research shows they are in desperate need of reform - with current certificates often inaccurate and only suggesting costly improvements with long pay back periods. The next government must make Energy Performance Certificates a more reliable and useful tool for householders. This should include reviewing the auditing and training requirements for Domestic Energy Assessors and ensuring EPCs provide relevant information and clear, actionable advice for consumers.”

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark has long said that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) could be better utilised through the introduction of a Property Passport to increase the uptake of energy efficiency improvements. This would enable information to be transferable across building owners and help maintain a long-term decarbonisation goal for the building.

“The process would not replace EPCs, but enhance them, creating an opportunity to capture EPC data digitally and add to it with other data over time. A Property Passport would also provide detailed guidance on the actions required, and already undertaken, to improve the property, based on building fabric and operational data helping building owners and occupiers make decisions to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.”