EPC Rating A: What It Means and How to Achieve It

An EPC rating of A means a property scored 92 or more on the energy efficiency scale. It is the highest band an EPC can give. Very few existing homes reach it. Most A-rated homes are new builds, and many of them generate some of their own energy, for example with solar panels.

This guide explains what an A rating means, why it is so rare, and the order of work that gives a home the best chance of reaching it. If you want to see your own rating first, our free EPC rating check takes a few seconds.

Where band A sits on the scale

Every EPC gives a home a letter and a score. Band A starts at 92. A score above 100 is also possible, for example when a home generates more energy than it uses. It still shows as an A, because there is no higher band.

The typical home in England scores 69, which is the very bottom of band C. So an A-rated home is more than 20 points above the average. By comparison, band E covers 39 to 54 and band G covers 1 to 20.

Is an EPC rating of A good?

Yes. An A is the best rating a home can get. It means the property loses very little heat and uses very little energy for its size, so running costs should be low.

An A is not a legal requirement for anyone. Rented homes currently need at least band E, and the planned 2030 standard for private rented homes is the equivalent of band C. There is no minimum rating for selling or for living in your own home. So for most people, an A is a goal rather than a rule.

Why A-rated homes are rare

Insulation alone rarely gets a home to A. In most cases, an A needs three things together: a very well insulated building, efficient low-carbon heating, and some on-site energy generation, such as solar panels.

That is why new builds reach A more often. They are designed to modern standards from the start, so the walls, floors and windows already hold heat well. Existing homes, on the other hand, often have limits that are hard or impossible to change:

• Solid walls. Older homes often have no cavity to fill, so insulating them means internal or external wall insulation, which are big jobs.
• Listed buildings and conservation areas. Planning rules can restrict external insulation, new windows or solar panels on roofs facing the street.
• Flats. Owners often do not control the roof, outside walls or shared heating, and changes may need the freeholder’s permission.
• Roof space. A small, shaded or north-facing roof may not suit solar panels.
• The shape of the home. A detached house loses heat through every wall, while a mid-terrace shares two walls with its neighbours.

For many existing homes, a B is a realistic and worthwhile ceiling. Our guide to EPC rating B explains what that involves.

How to achieve an EPC rating of A

The order of work matters. The usual approach is called fabric first, which means improving the building before changing the heating. Follow these steps in order:

1. Check your potential rating. Your certificate shows the band the home could reach after the recommended improvements. If the potential rating is B or C, an A may not be realistic for your property.
2. Stop the draughts. Seal gaps around doors, windows, loft hatches and floorboards, while keeping good ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms.
3. Insulate the loft. It is usually the simplest fabric upgrade.
4. Insulate the walls. Fill empty cavity walls, or use internal or external insulation for solid walls.
5. Improve floors, windows and doors. Floor insulation and good double or triple glazing close the remaining gaps.
6. Switch to efficient low-carbon heating. An air source heat pump is the most common route. It works best once the home already holds its heat.
7. Add solar panels. Generating your own electricity is often what lifts a strong B into band A.
8. Get a new EPC. Your old certificate will not update by itself. A new assessment is the only way to show the better rating.

Why not start with solar panels or a heat pump? Because a heat pump fitted to a draughty house has to work much harder, and it may be sized for heat you are about to stop losing. Fixing the building first usually gives better results for the same money.

It can also help to get a fresh EPC halfway through, after the insulation work. You can then see what is still holding the score back before you plan the heating and solar stage.

Current rating, potential rating and environmental rating

Your certificate shows more than one rating. The current rating is how the home performs today. The potential rating is what it could reach if every recommendation were made. It is an estimate, not a promise.

There is also a separate environmental impact rating, which measures carbon dioxide emissions rather than running costs. A home can score well on one and less well on the other. A well-insulated home with gas heating may have a high energy efficiency rating but a lower environmental rating.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EPC rating of A good?

Yes. A is the highest band on the scale, so the home is very energy efficient and should be cheap to run. It is not required for selling or letting.

How do I achieve an EPC rating of A?

Work in order. Improve the building first with draught-proofing and loft, wall and floor insulation. Then switch to efficient low-carbon heating, and add solar panels. Then get a new EPC to show the improved rating.

Are A-rated homes rare?

Yes. Most A-rated homes are new builds, often with solar panels or a heat pump. For an older home, reaching A usually takes extensive work, and some homes cannot reach it at all.

Which is better, an EPC rating of A or E?

A is far better. An A-rated home scores 92 or more, while an E-rated home scores 39 to 54. An E-rated home loses much more heat and costs much more to run.

Can an older house get an EPC rating of A?

Sometimes, but it is difficult. Solid walls, planning rules and limited roof space often hold older homes at B or C. Your certificate’s potential rating is the best guide to what your home can realistically reach.

Do I need an A rating to rent out my property?

No. Rented homes in England and Wales currently need at least band E. The government has confirmed that private rented homes must reach the equivalent of band C by 1 October 2030, but this still has to become law.

Can an EPC score go above 100?

Yes. A home that generates more energy than it uses, for example with solar panels, can score above 100. It still shows as band A.

To learn more about the full scale, read EPC ratings explained, or browse all our EPC guides. Most domestic EPCs cost £60 to £120, and our guide to how much an EPC costs explains why. With us, an EPC costs £69 for up to 3 bedrooms or £79 for 4 bedrooms. If you already know you need an assessment, you can book an EPC assessment now.