Can an Electrician Do an EPC? EPC vs EICR Explained

Only if they’re also an accredited domestic energy assessor. Most electricians aren’t, because an EPC and an electrical safety check are two different jobs with different training. This guide explains the difference, which one you need, and how to check who you’re booking.

Why people mix them up

It’s an easy mistake to make. After all, both involve a visit, both end with a certificate, and landlords need both. So it’s natural to ask the electrician to “do the EPC while they’re here”.

There are a few other reasons for the confusion:

• The word “energy” sounds electrical. People picture someone who works with wiring.
• Letting agents group them together. Gas safety, the electrical check and the EPC often sit on one compliance checklist.
• The EPC looks at lighting and heating controls. Those also feel like an electrician’s territory.
• Some firms offer both. So people assume every electrician does.

However, each of these points you the wrong way. The two checks answer completely different questions.

EPC vs EICR: the key differences

An EICR is an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It checks whether your wiring is safe. By contrast, an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rates how energy efficient your home is, from A to G. One is about safety, and the other is about efficiency.

• What it checks. An EICR tests the fuse box, circuits, sockets and earthing. An EPC looks at insulation, walls, windows, heating, hot water and lighting.
• Who does it. An EICR needs a qualified electrician, whereas an EPC needs an accredited domestic energy assessor.
• What you get. An EICR lists any faults and how urgent they are. Meanwhile, an EPC gives a rating and a list of suggested improvements.
• How long it lasts. Landlords need a new EICR at least every 5 years. An EPC lasts 10 years.
• Who needs it. Landlords need both. Sellers, on the other hand, need an EPC but not an EICR.

So a good EICR won’t improve your EPC rating. The EPC doesn’t look at whether your wiring is safe. Instead, it looks at how well the home holds heat and how efficiently it’s heated.

When an electrician can do your EPC

Some electricians have also trained as domestic energy assessors. If they’re a member of an approved accreditation scheme, they can produce a valid EPC. In that case, it’s handy to book both checks in one visit.

But the accreditation is what counts, not the trade. Without it, nobody can lodge an EPC on the national register, and an EPC that isn’t on the register doesn’t count.

Checking is simple. First, ask which accreditation scheme they belong to. A genuine assessor will tell you straight away, and you can check their membership with the scheme. For more on this, see our guide on whether you can do your own EPC.

What landlords need

If you let a home, you need both documents. What’s more, they’re separate duties, so having one doesn’t cover the other.

• EPC. You need a valid EPC before you advertise the home, and you must give your tenant a copy. Rented homes must currently reach at least band E.
• EICR. In England, private landlords must have the electrics checked at least every 5 years and give tenants a copy of the report. Wales has a similar 5-year rule.

A common slip goes like this. A landlord books the 5-yearly EICR, and the visit goes well. Then the letting agent asks for the EPC, and the landlord assumes it’s covered. Unfortunately, it isn’t. As a result, a new tenancy can be held up while an assessment is booked.

Our EPC rules for landlords guide covers the minimum rating, exemptions and the band C target for 2030. For the electrical side, see GOV.UK’s electrical safety guidance for landlords.

What decides your EPC rating

Your EPC rating comes from the building, not the wiring. An assessor records how the home is built and heated, then enters the details into approved software. These are the main things that shape the result:

• Loft, wall and floor insulation
• The boiler or heating system, plus timers and thermostats
• How hot water is heated and stored
• Single, double or triple glazing
• Low-energy lighting, solar panels or a heat pump
• The age, size and build type of the home

In general, heating and insulation carry the most weight. Lighting counts too, but it moves the score far less. So a full rewire won’t change your rating unless it also changes the lighting or heating controls. For a closer look at each band, see EPC ratings explained.

Check your home’s EPC first

Before you book anything, check whether your home already has a valid EPC. With our free EPC rating check, you enter a postcode and pick the address. You’ll then see the rating, the date it was lodged and when it expires. It’s free, needs no sign-up, and shows one property at a time. The data comes from the government EPC register, although we aren’t the official register ourselves.

If you need a new EPC

A domestic EPC typically costs £60 to £120. The price depends on the size of the home and where it is. With us, it’s a fixed £69 for up to 3 bedrooms or £79 for 4 bedrooms. Our guide to how much an EPC certificate costs explains what affects the price.

If your certificate has expired or you’ve never had one, you can book an EPC assessment with us. An accredited assessor carries out every EPC, and we confirm the appointment with you.

Frequently asked questions

Can any electrician do an EPC?

No. Only an electrician who is also an accredited domestic energy assessor can do one. So always ask which accreditation scheme they belong to before you book.

Is an EPC the same as an electrical safety certificate?

No. An EICR checks that your wiring is safe, while an EPC rates your home’s energy efficiency. They’re also done by different people, and landlords need both.

Does an EICR affect my EPC rating?

No. The EPC doesn’t look at whether your wiring is safe. Instead, it’s based mainly on insulation, heating, hot water and windows.

Do I need an EICR to sell my house?

No, there’s no legal need for one when you sell. However, you do need an EPC. Some buyers may still ask about the electrics, so an EICR can help answer their questions.

How often do landlords need an EPC and an EICR?

An EPC lasts 10 years. In England, by contrast, the electrics must be checked at least every 5 years, and Wales has a similar rule. So most landlords renew the EICR twice for every EPC.

Who does an EPC if not an electrician?

An accredited domestic energy assessor. They’re trained to survey homes and lodge certificates on the national register. You can book one with us for a fixed price.

For more on ratings, costs and landlord rules, browse all our EPC guides.