How to find and read your EPC
You've probably seen the coloured rainbow chart on a property listing. Most people glance at the letter and move on. The useful information is further down.
Finding the certificate
Every EPC in England and Wales is held on the government's register. Anyone can look one up for free on the find an energy certificate service. Search by postcode, pick the address, and the full certificate opens on screen. You can also search by the certificate number if you have it.
EPCs last 10 years. If the property has had several, the register shows them all, and the newest valid one is the one that counts.
The score, not just the letter
Next to the letter is a number from 1 upwards. That's the score, and it matters more than the letter. The bands are:
| Band | Score |
|---|---|
| A | 92 or more |
| B | 81 to 91 |
| C | 69 to 80 |
| D | 55 to 68 |
| E | 39 to 54 |
| F | 21 to 38 |
| G | 1 to 20 |
A home at D68 is one point from C. A home at D55 is 14 points away. Both show as "D".
The features section
This table lists the walls, roof, windows, heating, hot water and lighting, each with a short description and a rating from very poor to very good. It's the quickest way to see what's holding the score back.
Look out for the word "assumed". Where an assessor couldn't confirm something, such as whether a cavity is filled, the software uses a default for the property's age. Those defaults are often pessimistic. Evidence like an insulation guarantee can sometimes raise the score without any building work at all.
The recommendations
The certificate lists suggested improvements in order, with a typical cost and the rating after each step. They're a useful starting point. But the cost figures can be out of date, and the list doesn't know about your budget or the 2030 cost cap.
Potential rating
The chart shows a current and a potential rating. The potential rating assumes every recommendation is done. It shows what's possible, not what's sensible to pay for.
Next step
Once you know the score and the features, you can estimate the gap to C and the likely cost. That's exactly what the checker on this site does.
Check your own rental
The free checker estimates where your property stands against EPC C and the cheapest likely route to get there, with sourced costs.