Even though a third of us have said they would like to make their home more energy efficient, a fifth didn’t know what changes they could implement to improve their EPC rating, according to research from Mortgage Advice Bureau. Deputy CEO of Mortgage Advice Bureau, Ben Thompson, says a national campaign is needed to hit the Government’s 2025 target for landlords to have rental properties at a minimum band C EPC rating, with the target set at 2035 for all other properties.
“It’s safe to say we all know the pain that inefficient homes are having on our bank accounts, but it is also having an impact on the climate. Retrofitting is the best way to combat the UK’s leaky homes. Wall, floor and loft insulation are some of the best ways to improve efficiency, but these can be costly. There are, however, a number of ways people can improve their homes gradually over time for very little cost, such as switching to more efficient LED bulbs to reduce electricity consumption, or using things like draft excluders under external doors.”
Improving your EPC rating can also increase the value of your home, as better ratings are predicted to be a key feature for movers in 2023. A fifth of Brits (19%) say they couldn’t consider a house with an EPC of below grade C, and 46% of potential buyers would rather have good insulation over a bigger garden (29%).
