What Is
an EPC?
An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate. It rates a property's energy efficiency from A (best) to G (worst). UK law requires EPCs for sales, rentals plus new builds. The certificate lasts 10 years plus costs £60 to £150 to commission.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a UK government document that rates a property's energy efficiency from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). EPCs are required for any property being sold, rented out or newly built in England plus Wales under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012. The certificate shows the current rating, estimated annual energy costs, CO2 emissions plus recommended improvements with their costs plus rating impact. EPCs last 10 years from the date of issue plus cost £60 to £150 to commission from an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). The EPC Register at epcregister.com holds every EPC issued in England plus Wales since 2008 plus is free to search by anyone.
The figures that matter
Rating scale
Energy Performance Certificate ratings run from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Validity
EPCs last 10 years from the date of issue. Reusable for multiple sales plus tenancies.
Cost
Typical UK 2026 cost for a domestic EPC from an accredited assessor.
Origin
EPCs introduced in UK from August 2007 under EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Four things to consider
Government rating document
An official UK government document showing property energy efficiency on a standard A to G scale.
Required for sales plus rentals
Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012 require EPCs for any property being sold or let.
10-year validity
EPCs last 10 years. Reusable for multiple sales plus tenancies during that period.
Free to search anyone's EPC
EPC Register at epcregister.com is open to anyone. Search by postcode for any UK property.
What an EPC is plus what it shows
An EPC is the standard UK measure of how energy-efficient a property is. It was introduced from August 2007 to comply with the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive plus has been retained in UK law since.
What an EPC document shows:
- Energy efficiency rating. A to G letter grade based on SAP score 1 to 100+.
- Property type. Detached, semi-detached, terraced, flat or maisonette.
- Floor area. Total useful floor area in square metres.
- Date of issue plus expiry. Valid 10 years from issue.
- Estimated annual energy cost. Heating, lighting plus hot water under standard usage assumptions.
- Estimated CO2 emissions per year. In kg or tonnes.
- Property energy features. Insulation type, heating system, glazing plus controls.
- Recommended improvements. Specific upgrades with estimated costs plus rating impact.
- Improved rating after recommendations. What the property could achieve if all recommendations were implemented.
- Assessor name plus accreditation number. Identifies the DEA who carried out the assessment.
- EPC reference number (RRN). Unique identifier for the certificate.
Who issues EPCs. Only an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) can issue a valid EPC. DEAs must be accredited under government-approved schemes including Elmhurst Energy, Stroma Certification plus Quidos. EPCs from non-accredited individuals are not valid plus not lodged on the official register.
How EPCs are calculated. EPCs use the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for new builds plus the Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP) for existing homes. The methodology accounts for:
- Property type, floor area plus construction.
- Heating system efficiency plus controls.
- Hot water system.
- Insulation levels (loft, walls plus floors).
- Glazing type plus area.
- Lighting energy efficiency.
- Air infiltration based on construction age.
- Renewable energy contributions (solar PV, heat pumps).
When EPCs are legally required:
- Sales. Sellers must commission an EPC within 7 days of marketing under the 2012 Regulations. Trading Standards penalty £200 for breach.
- Rentals. Landlords must hold a valid EPC rated E or above (rising to C from October 2030). Local authority penalty up to £5,000 for breach under MEES Regulations 2015.
- New builds. Building Regulations require an EPC before practical completion.
- Major renovations. 25 percent or more of building envelope changes may trigger requirement.
Limited exemptions:
- Listed buildings where compliance would unacceptably alter character.
- Places of worship.
- Temporary buildings used under 2 years.
- Industrial sites with low energy demand.
- Standalone buildings under 50 square metres.
- Holiday lets used under 4 months per year.
How to get an EPC. Hire an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor through Elmhurst, Stroma or Quidos public registers. The assessor visits for 30 to 60 minutes, takes measurements plus photos, then enters data into RdSAP software which calculates the rating automatically. EPC issued within 24 to 72 hours plus lodged on the EPC Register at epcregister.com.
How to find an existing EPC. Search the EPC Register at epcregister.com using the property postcode. The register is free plus open to anyone. Shows current rating, expiry date plus all historical EPCs for the property. Free PDF download available.
The new HEM:EPC system from 2029. The Home Energy Model methodology will replace SAP/RdSAP under the Warm Homes Plan confirmed in January 2026. Launch scheduled for the second half of 2027 plus compulsory for new EPCs from 1 October 2029. EPCs issued under SAP/RdSAP remain valid for their full 10-year period.
Real number ranges
EPC cost summary (UK 2026)
EPC lifecycle in a UK property
EPC commissioned
Owner hires accredited DEA. Site visit 30 to 60 minutes. EPC issued within 24 to 72 hours.
Reusable across uses
Same EPC covers multiple sales, tenancies plus refinancing during 10-year validity period.
Expiry
EPC expires automatically. New assessment needed for any future sale, tenancy or other requirement.
Public register
EPC remains on the public register at epcregister.com even after expiry. Useful for historical reference.
Four key facts about EPCs
Required for sales plus rentals
Sales need EPC within 7 days of marketing. Rentals need valid EPC rated E or above rising to C from 2030.
Valid for 10 years
Same EPC covers multiple sales plus tenancies during validity. Reusable until expiry.
Search anyone's EPC for free
EPC Register at epcregister.com is open to anyone. Search by property postcode.
Only accredited DEAs issue valid EPCs
Domestic Energy Assessors must be accredited under Elmhurst, Stroma or Quidos.
Compare the options
Valid current EPC
- ✓Issued by accredited DEA. Lodged on EPC Register.
- ✓Less than 10 years old from issue date.
- ✓Compliant for sale plus letting (subject to rating).
- ✓Free PDF download from epcregister.com.
- ✓Reusable for multiple uses during validity.
No EPC or expired
- ✗No EPC issued or EPC expired (10+ years old).
- ✗Cannot legally market for sale or let.
- ✗Trading Standards penalty £200 for unmarketed sales.
- ✗MEES penalty up to £5,000 for non-compliant rentals.
- ✗New EPC needed. £60 to £150 cost plus 3 to 7 day delay.
EPCs are the foundation of UK property energy regulation. Our full EPC Ratings hub covers Energy Performance Certificates plus MEES regulations across UK homes plus rental properties.
Visit the EPC Ratings Hub
This article is one chapter inside our complete EPC Ratings knowledge base. The hub covers Energy Performance Certificates plus MEES regulations across UK homes plus rental properties.
More on EPC ratings
Three further EPC fundamentals articles in the same hub group cover related questions. The first is how do i get an epc certificate for the assessment process. The second covers what is a good epc rating for the rating context. The third is is an epc a legal requirement for the legal context.