What Is a Good EPC Rating in the UK?

Quick answer: for many existing homes, an EPC rating of C or above is a useful benchmark for strong energy performance. A and B are higher-performing bands. D is mid-range, while E, F and G indicate progressively weaker performance. “Good” is not a legal label, though, and the right interpretation depends on whether you are buying, selling, letting or planning improvements.

What is a good EPC rating?

An Energy Performance Certificate gives a home an energy-efficiency score and a band from A to G. The current domestic bands are:

These score boundaries are used in official EPC data. They let you compare properties on a standardised basis, but they do not predict a household’s exact bills because real consumption depends on occupancy, temperatures, tariffs and behaviour.

Why band C is a useful benchmark

Band C sits at 69–80. The latest ONS analysis of EPC records from the ten years to March 2025 found a median score of 69 in England, which is the bottom of band C, and 68 in Wales, which is the top of band D. London’s median was 70. This makes C a practical reference point when comparing existing homes, without implying that every C-rated home is identical.

For landlords in England and Wales, current MEES rules still focus on band E for covered private rented property unless a valid exemption applies. Separately, the government has set out decisions for a future standard equivalent to C from 1 October 2030, with legislation and detailed implementation still required. That distinction matters when reading older articles that describe future policy as if every detail were already in force.

Is an EPC B better than C?

Yes in the EPC scoring system: B covers 81–91, so it represents stronger modelled energy performance than C. However, a buyer should still read the full certificate. A band B flat with communal heating and a band C house with modern fabric improvements can have very different maintenance, comfort and upgrade considerations.

Is EPC D bad?

Not automatically. Band D covers 55–68 and is common in existing housing. It usually indicates meaningful room for improvement, but the property may still be perfectly usable and, under current England and Wales MEES rules, a D-rated covered rental property is above the present E minimum. The recommendations section of the certificate is more useful than the letter alone when deciding what to do next.

What rating should a buyer look for?

Use the EPC as one part of due diligence. A higher rating can indicate stronger energy performance, but also check the building’s condition, heating type, insulation evidence, ventilation, tenure, service charges and planned works. A lower-rated property may have a clear, affordable improvement path; another may require major fabric work.

How can I check my rating?

Search the official register by postcode, street or certificate number. If a valid certificate exists, you can view the current score, potential score and recommendations. If there is no valid certificate and you need one for a transaction or a fresh assessment, arrange an assessment with an accredited energy assessor.

Sources and current guidance

This guide is written for practical property decisions and uses current official guidance. Useful sources include ONS energy-efficiency data, GOV.UK EPC guidance, GOV.UK landlord MEES guidance. Rules and methodologies can change, so check the current source before relying on a legal or compliance point.