EPC ratings and running costs: what they mean for your bills
Every Home Report includes an Energy Report with the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The rating gives you a quick sense of how costly a home will be to heat, and what you might need to spend to improve it.
EPC ratings run from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Many older Scottish homes are rated D or E. A lower rating usually means higher heating bills. The Energy Report lists recommended improvements and their indicative costs, which you can use to budget before you offer.
How to read an EPC
- Current rating: the property's efficiency now, from A to G.
- Potential rating: what it could reach if the recommended improvements were made.
- Estimated energy costs: based on standard assumptions about heating and occupancy, not on the current owner's bills.
- Recommendations: improvements with indicative costs and savings.
An EPC is valid for 10 years. Check its date: improvements since then won't be reflected.
What affects the rating
- Wall type and insulation (solid stone walls are hard to insulate)
- Loft and floor insulation
- Window glazing
- Heating system and controls
- Hot water system
Want these checks done for a listing you’re looking at? Get a free report.
Why it matters when you buy
Two similar homes at the same price can have very different running costs. A low rating isn't a reason to avoid a property, but it should be part of your budget and your offer.
Improvements that usually make a difference
- Loft insulation, if there is a loft
- Heating controls and thermostatic radiator valves
- Replacing an old boiler or moving to a heat pump
- Draught-proofing and secondary glazing, often suitable for listed or tenement buildings
Home Energy Scotland offers free advice and information about grants and loans for energy improvements.
Frequently asked questions
How long is an EPC valid?
10 years. Check the date, as improvements since then won’t be shown.
What is a good EPC rating?
A to C are considered good. Many older Scottish homes are D or E.
Are the EPC energy costs accurate?
They are estimates based on standard assumptions. Your actual bills depend on how you use the home and your tariff.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.