New Domestic EPC Changes in 2026: What Homeowners and Landlords Need to Know
If you’re planning to sell or rent your property in the next few years, there are some important changes coming to domestic EPCs that you should be aware of.
The UK government has announced plans to update the way Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are calculated and displayed. These changes are expected to modernise the current system and give homeowners and landlords a clearer understanding of how energy efficient their property really is.
At the moment, EPCs mainly rely on a single SAP or RdSAP score to produce the familiar A–G energy rating. However, under the proposed new system, future EPCs may look very different.
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A New Style of EPC Is Coming
One of the biggest proposed changes is the introduction of the new Home Energy Model (HEM).
Instead of focusing on one overall score, future EPCs are expected to use several different measurements to assess a property’s performance more accurately.
These may include:
Fabric performance such as insulation, walls, windows, and roofing
Heating system efficiency
Smart technology readiness
Estimated energy costs
Carbon emissions and environmental impact
The aim is to provide property owners with more useful information instead of relying on a single rating alone.
Why Is the Government Changing EPCs?
Many people within the property industry believe the current EPC system is outdated.
Some homes receive ratings that do not always reflect how they actually perform in real life. For example, properties with modern electric heating systems can sometimes score lower than expected, even when they are energy efficient.
The government wants the new EPC model to:
Improve accuracy
Encourage greener homes
Support lower carbon emissions
Help homeowners make smarter energy improvements
These changes are also part of the UK’s long-term environmental targets.
What Could Future EPC Assessments Include?
The updated EPC system is expected to look at homes in much more detail than before.
Fabric Performance
This measures how well a property keeps heat inside the home.
Assessors may pay closer attention to:
Loft insulation
Wall insulation
Roof condition
Window efficiency
Heat loss
Homes with better insulation are likely to perform more strongly.
Heating System Efficiency
Heating systems are expected to play a much bigger role in future EPC assessments.
This may include:
Boiler efficiency
Heat pumps
Smart heating controls
Low-carbon heating systems
As the UK moves towards greener energy, efficient heating will become increasingly important.
Smart Readiness
Modern technology may also become part of EPC assessments.
Future EPCs could look at whether a property is suitable for:
Smart thermostats
Solar panels
Battery storage
Electric vehicle charging points
This would encourage homes to become more energy efficient over time.
Energy Costs and Carbon Performance
Running costs are still expected to remain an important part of the assessment process.
At the same time, future EPCs may place greater emphasis on carbon emissions and environmental impact rather than focusing only on fuel costs.
This could give homeowners a more balanced picture of both affordability and sustainability.
What Does This Mean for Landlords?
For landlords, these changes could become very important over the next few years.
The government still plans to improve minimum energy standards for rental properties, with many privately rented homes expected to reach EPC C by 2030.
Because of this, landlords may eventually need to invest in:
Better insulation
New boilers
Improved glazing
Heating upgrades
Energy-saving improvements
Starting early could help avoid higher costs later on.
Why Acting Early Could Help
Improving your EPC rating now may offer several benefits:
Lower energy bills
Better property value
Increased appeal to buyers and tenants
Easier future compliance
Energy-efficient homes are becoming more desirable, especially as energy prices continue to rise.
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We provide reliable domestic EPC services across London with fast appointments and professional assessors.
Our services include:
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Landlord EPC compliance
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Whether you’re selling, renting, or simply preparing for the future EPC changes, we’re here to help make the process quick and straightforward.
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