How to Improve an EPC Rating
This is part of our complete guide to EPC ratings.
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement when selling or renting a property. With a grading scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), your EPC reflects how energy-efficient your property is. Beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements, improving your EPC can save you money, reduce your carbon footprint and make your home more attractive to buyers or tenants.
Below, we share practical steps to improve your EPC rating—from minor upgrades to larger installations eligible for funding through MPC Energy’s services in Scotland.
Why Improve Your EPC Rating?
Improving your EPC rating brings a variety of benefits, including:
Lower Energy Bills: Energy-efficient homes lose less heat, reducing heating costs.
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Improved energy efficiency means your home produces fewer emissions.
Enhanced Property Value: Homes with better EPC ratings often attract higher sales or rental prices.
Eligibility for Grants & Funding: Homes with lower EPC grades may qualify for free or subsidised heating and insulation improvements through schemes such as ECO4, GBIS, and Home Energy Scotland.
Now, let's explore how you can improve your rating.
Practical Ways to Improve Your EPC Rating
Upgrade to LED Lighting
One of the easiest, most cost-effective fixes is switching to LED bulbs. LEDs consume up to 90% less energy than conventional bulbs and can last over 10 times longer. Swapping all the bulbs in your property could give your EPC rating a quick boost with minimal effort or investment.
Improve Insulation
Heat loss through walls, roofs and floors accounts for a significant portion of household energy waste. Proper insulation ensures your home retains warmth efficiently, making your heating system work less.
MPC Energy provides and installs a variety of insulation options underfunding schemes in Scotland, such as ECO4 and GBIS, including:
Loft Insulation
Cavity Wall Insulation
Solid Wall Insulation
Underfloor Insulation
Contact us to see if you qualify for funding to cover these upgrades for free or at a reduced cost.
Install an Efficient Heating System
Older heating systems, such as G-rated boilers, are highly inefficient and increase operating costs. Replacing them with an A-rated condensing boiler or heat pump can drastically improve your EPC rating.
Through schemes like ECO4 and Home Energy Scotland, MPC Energy can provide free or partially funded installations of the following systems in Scotland:
Modern A-Rated Gas Boilers
Air Source Heat Pumps
Hybrid Heat Pumps
Electric Storage Heaters
Not only do these upgrades elevate your EPC, but they also reduce your energy bills long-term.
Draft-Proof Your Home
Draft-proofing is another low-cost step to improve your EPC rating. Gaps around windows, doors, and floorboards can cause your home to lose heat, which will cost more to keep warm. Adding foam seals, draught excluders, or weatherstripping is inexpensive and easy to implement.
Install Renewable Energy Solutions
Renewable energy options, such as solar panels, have a substantial positive impact on EPC ratings. Solar PV systems reduce reliance on grid electricity, which is typically more expensive and less sustainable.
MPC Energy offers government-backed grants and interest-free loans to make solar installations more accessible, allowing homeowners to balance sustainability with affordability.
Perform Regular Maintenance on Heating Systems
A poorly maintained boiler or heating system can increase energy consumption. Regular servicing ensures your equipment operates efficiently, helping maintain or improve your property’s EPC rating over time.
Consider Smart Home Devices
Smart thermostats and heating controls can optimise your energy usage and enhance your home’s efficiency. By automating and monitoring your heating schedule, these devices ensure you only use energy when and where you need it. Popular options include Hive and Nest systems.
Get a Smart Meter
If your energy provider hasn’t yet supplied a smart meter, request one. Smart meters help track your energy usage, providing real-time data that allows you to pinpoint inefficiencies and adjust accordingly.
Upgrade Windows to Double Glazing
Single-glazed windows can lead to significant heat loss. Upgrading to double or triple glazing improves thermal efficiency, cutting heat loss through the glass and improving your EPC rating.
Provide the Right Documentation
If you’ve already made energy-efficient upgrades, ensure these are documented. When an EPC assessor inspects your property, paperwork proving completed work (such as insulation installed within walls or roof) will help reflect improvements fairly in your report.
Free and Subsidised Energy Upgrades with MPC Energy
At MPC Energy, we’re committed to helping Scottish homeowners improve their EPC ratings affordably. Our expert team can assess your home, identify opportunities for energy savings, and apply for funding on your behalf through schemes like ECO4, GBIS, and Home Energy Scotland.
Eligible improvements include:
Free or reduced-cost insulation (loft, wall, underfloor)
New A-rated boilers or first-time central heating systems
Heat pumps for cleaner and more efficient heating solutions
Solar PV systems for sustainable energy generation
How to Get Started with MPC Energy
Improving your home's EPC rating and energy efficiency is easy with our simple 3-step process:
Check Your Eligibility
Fill out our online application to see if you qualify for funding.Book Your Free Survey
Our expert surveyors will visit your property to assess your needs.Complete Your Improvements
Our trusted engineers will carry out the installations, ensuring your home becomes more energy efficient.
Apply for funding today and start saving on your energy bills while making your home eco-friendly!
Final Thoughts
Improving your EPC rating benefits your finances, your home’s value, and the environment. From quick fixes like LED lighting to transformative upgrades like heat pumps and solar panels, there are options to suit every budget. With MPC Energy’s support, Scottish homeowners can access free or subsidised solutions to make energy-efficient living achievable.
Want a warmer, greener, and more efficient home? Visit our website or contact us to learn more about improving your EPC rating and securing funding today!
