A new study has revealed that six out of ten homes across England and Wales now boast an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above. According to epIMS, a platform dedicated to helping landlords enhance energy efficiency, this data underscores the growing shift towards sustainable housing—a transformation occurring well in advance of the government’s planned 2030 deadline for rental properties to achieve at least a C rating.

A Decade of Change in EPC Ratings

epIMS analysed a decade’s worth of EPC lodgement records to track the evolution of energy efficiency in homes. The findings indicate that C has become the predominant EPC rating over the past four years, demonstrating a natural trend towards greater energy efficiency without strict governmental enforcement.

Craig Cooper of epIMS reassures landlords who may be anxious about meeting these evolving standards. “Landlords may have concerns when it comes to being forced to upgrade all of their properties to an EPC rating of at least C, but the nation’s dwellings have already been steadily improving year on year even without governmental pressure to do so,” he explained.

Advancements Driving Energy Efficiency

The shift towards improved EPC ratings is driven by advancements in building materials and heating systems, which naturally enhance energy efficiency. Additionally, technological innovations, such as AI-powered assessments, are enabling landlords to quickly identify weak spots in energy performance and address them in the most cost-effective way.

Cooper further emphasised, “Our ability to understand how best to improve efficiency is also improving. AI can now analyse a home and identify problem areas, which can then be rectified in a practical and affordable manner.”

The Numbers Tell the Story

In 2014, a significant 69% of properties assessed had a D rating or lower, with D accounting for 44.4% of the 2.2 million certificates issued that year. By contrast, the energy efficiency landscape had changed dramatically by 2021, with 51.6% of homes achieving a C rating or higher.

By 2024, the progress continued, with 60.5% of homes now rated C or above. Notably, A-rated homes crossed the 1% threshold for the first time, climbing from 0.8% in 2023 to 1.7% in 2024.

Looking Ahead to 2030

With the government’s 2030 target approaching, landlords are increasingly focused on upgrading their properties to meet the minimum C rating requirement. While some property owners may worry about the associated costs and effort, the epIMS study suggests that ongoing improvements in technology and materials may make the process more seamless and affordable than anticipated.

As the UK continues to prioritise energy efficiency in housing, the trend of increasing EPC C ratings highlights a significant shift towards sustainability—one that is already well underway.