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Energy performance certificate

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC): how to check it and what the rating means

An Energy Performance Certificate shows a property's energy rating. Use this guide for the broader EPC certificate UK picture: how to check EPC rating, what EPC rating means, and where EPC work stops and heat loss work starts.

For the official register route, see the EPC rating check guide. For the practical document list, see the EPC evidence checklist. In England and Wales, an EPC is normally needed when a property is sold, let, or newly built, and the certificate is valid for 10 years. · 3 min read

How to check EPC rating Open EPC evidence checklist
What EPC rating means

What an energy performance certificate shows, and what an EPC does not do

Rating

Energy rating and recommendations

The EPC records the property's energy performance, gives an A-G rating, and lists improvement recommendations. That is the practical answer when someone asks what EPC rating means.

Evidence

Defaults vs proof

Where documentary proof is missing, assessors may need to rely on conventions and defaults. Better evidence usually means a stronger, cleaner record.

Different output

Not a system-sizing tool

An EPC helps describe the dwelling and improvement opportunities. A room-by-room heat loss calculation is the tool used for system-sizing decisions.

How to check EPC rating

Start with the current EPC certificate, then gather better proof

Start here

Check the existing EPC first

  • Find the current certificate and recommendation report
  • Check the date and whether the dwelling has changed since then
  • Identify anything that looks generic or defaulted
Useful proof

Documents that help

  • Window and door certificates where available
  • Insulation invoices, guarantees, and install photos
  • Boiler, heat pump, inverter, or cylinder specification details
Survey day

What to have ready

  • Any documents on your phone are usually fine
  • Make plant areas and loft access easy to reach if relevant
  • Use the checklist page so nothing obvious gets missed
Related guides

EPC rating, evidence, and heat loss guides

EPC evidence checklist How to check EPC rating How to improve EPC rating Heat loss vs EPC MCS certificate guide U-value guide Heat loss calculations
Official reference points

What the GOV.UK services and guidance say

When it is needed

GOV.UK says an EPC is normally required when a property is sold, rented out, or newly built. That is the starting point for most domestic checks in England and Wales.

How to check one

The official route is the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service. It lets you search the existing record by postcode, street name, town, or certificate number.

How long it lasts

GOV.UK and the technical notes both say a domestic EPC is valid for 10 years. If it has expired, or if the property has changed materially, you may need a new assessment.

Sources checked on 17 April 2026: Selling a home: Energy Performance Certificates, Find an energy certificate, and Energy Performance of Buildings technical notes.

FAQs

Questions people ask about EPCs

An energy performance certificate records the property's energy rating, gives an A-G score, and lists improvement recommendations.

EPC rating means the energy-efficiency grade assigned to the property based on the assessment record and the assumptions or evidence behind it.

A domestic EPC is normally valid for 10 years, although an older record may stop being a useful guide if the property has changed materially since it was issued.

Use the official register. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that means the GOV.UK Find an energy certificate service. Scotland uses the Scottish EPC register.