Tips on Saving Energy

By: Christine Whitfield BA (hons) - Updated: 15 Sep 2025 | *Discuss

 

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The purpose of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is to show homeowners how energy efficient their property is. But knowing this information alone is not enough—what matters is taking action. If your doctor told you that you had high cholesterol, you wouldn’t simply thank them and carry on as normal. You would change your diet, exercise, and do what you could to improve your health. In the same way, an EPC highlights where improvements can be made to reduce energy use and cut costs.

In today’s climate—where environmental issues are a priority—it’s no surprise that an energy-efficient home is more attractive to buyers. People are increasingly conscious of their carbon footprint, and a property with lower emissions is far more appealing than one with poor energy performance. In fact, under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), landlords in England and Wales are legally required to ensure their rental properties have at least an EPC rating of E, unless a valid exemption applies. From April 2023 this has applied to all non-domestic rented properties, and for domestic rentals the rule has been in force since April 2020.

Energy Performance Certificate

The Energy Performance Certificate, which is part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, must be provided whenever a property is built, sold, or rented. It is carried out by a qualified Energy Assessor or Home Inspector. Once completed, the certificate gives your property an efficiency grade ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Alongside the grade, the EPC also provides practical recommendations on how to improve your home’s energy performance. Landlords should also be aware that failure to provide an EPC can lead to enforcement action, fines, and even restrictions on serving Section 21 notices.

Tips and Ideas

There are many ways to make your home more energy efficient. One common recommendation is upgrading an old gas boiler. If your boiler is over 20 years old, it is likely wasting energy and making your property less efficient.

According to Home Inspectors UK, a conventional wall-mounted boiler typically has an efficiency of around 70%. While this is reasonable, replacing it with a modern condensing gas boiler can boost efficiency to around 95%. From June 2025, EPCs will also be calculated using the updated RdSAP 10 methodology, which gives more accurate assessments of heating systems, insulation, and renewable energy use.

Loft insulation is another highly effective measure. Ensuring a minimum thickness of 250mm will significantly reduce heat loss through the roof. Similarly, cavity wall insulation helps retain warmth, improving energy efficiency and lowering fuel bills. In many cases, improving insulation is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to meet EPC requirements and avoid breaching MEES regulations.

Heating controls are equally important. A simple timer switch allows you to set your heating to come on and turn off at specific times, ensuring energy isn’t wasted when the house doesn’t need heating. EPC assessors will often recommend modern thermostatic controls and smart heating systems as part of their improvement suggestions.

Your completed EPC will provide tailored advice on the best improvements for your home. By following these recommendations, you can achieve a better energy efficiency grade, reduce running costs, and make your property more appealing to future buyers or tenants. Landlords in particular should stay updated with evolving legislation under the Energy Act 2023, which is reforming how EPCs are produced and enforced to support the UK’s net zero goals.

For more practical advice on cutting energy costs in homes and businesses, see Purely Energy’s guide on 10 ways to reduce your energy usage. It covers simple steps like adjusting boiler settings, reducing heat loss, switching off unused equipment, and making smarter use of tariffs.

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