1. What is an EPC rating D?
An EPC rating D means your property falls in the middle of the UK’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scale, which ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Most UK homes currently sit in band D, so it’s a very common rating. It indicates that your property is reasonably efficient but has considerable scope for improvement in areas such as insulation, heating systems, and renewable energy technologies.
2. How EPC ratings are calculated
EPC ratings are calculated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). An official assessor will need to look at how much energy your home uses and how much it costs to heat, light, and provide hot water. They will also factor in building materials, insulation levels, window glazing, and heating systems. The result is both an energy efficiency rating (the EPC band) and an environmental impact rating, which shows your property’s CO2 emissions.
3. Why is an EPC rating D significant?
An EPC rating D matters because it highlights that your home performs at an average level for energy efficiency. While your property isn’t failing, it also doesn’t perform as well as properties in bands A–C, and you could likely improve it. For homeowners, an EPC rating D means you’ll face higher energy costs; for landlords, you could face challenges with compliance as regulations tighten; and for buyers, this rating signals that you may need upgrades.
4. Is EPC rating D good or bad?
A property with an EPC rating D isn’t bad, but people don’t consider it good either. It occupies a middle ground: acceptable today, but people increasingly view it as below standard as the UK pushes towards net-zero targets. With rising bills and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, buyers and tenants are becoming more conscious of energy efficiency ratings, so a property in band D may be less attractive than one in band C or above.
5. EPC rating D and UK property regulations
Currently, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, rental properties must achieve at least an EPC rating E to be legally let. However, the government has proposed raising this minimum to band C by 2030 for most rented homes.
If you’re a landlord with a property in band D, you’ll likely need to invest in upgrades in the coming years to remain compliant.
6. Impact of an EPC rating D on energy bills
A property with an EPC rating D typically has higher energy costs compared to a C or B-rated home. For example, improving from band D to C can save hundreds of pounds per year, depending on property size. With rising energy prices, the difference between EPC bands can have a real impact on household budgets and long-term affordability.
7. EPC rating D and property value
EPC ratings increasingly influence property value. A home in band D may sell for less than a similar home in band C or above because potential buyers are factoring in the cost of future upgrades and higher energy bills. Estate agents report that homes with higher EPC ratings often sell faster and attract more interest, making efficiency an important selling point.
8. Can you rent a property with an EPC rating D?
Yes, you can currently rent a property with an EPC rating D, as it is above the legal minimum band E. However, landlords should be aware of the proposed changes that could make band C the new standard. Future-proofing your property by improving its rating now can help avoid disruption and costs later.
9. How to improve a home from EPC D to C
The quickest way to improve from band D to C is by tackling insulation and heating efficiency.
- Quick wins: Switch to LED lighting, draught-proof windows and doors, and install smart heating controls.
- Bigger upgrades: Add cavity or solid wall insulation, upgrade loft insulation, fit double or triple glazing, and replace an old boiler with a modern condensing boiler or heat pump.
10. Grants and financial support for EPC upgrades
If your property has an EPC rating D, you may be eligible for government or local authority support to make improvements. Schemes such as the ECO4 programme and the Great British Insulation Scheme provide funding for insulation and heating upgrades. Homeowners in certain council tax bands, or those receiving benefits, may qualify for free or subsidised improvements.
11. Future of EPC standards in the UK
The UK is tightening EPC requirements as part of its net-zero strategy. While rating D is currently common, the government’s long-term ambition is for most homes to achieve band C or better by 2035. This means that properties in band D will become less acceptable over time, making it more important to act now.
12. What an EPC rating D means for homeowners and landlords
For homeowners, an EPC rating D means higher energy bills, lower comfort, and potentially reduced property value. In the case of landlords, it means a looming deadline to upgrade before new regulations take effect. Buyers should take it as a warning sign that future investment may be required.
The good news is that improving from EPC D to C is achievable with the right measures. Moreover, grants are available to help.