EPC Rating C: What It Means and Is It Good?

An EPC rating of C means a property scored between 69 and 80 on the 1 to 100 energy efficiency scale. In short, it is a good rating. It is better than average, it costs less to run than a D, and it is the level the government wants private rented homes to reach by 2030.

This guide explains where band C sits on the scale, what a C-rated home costs to run, and what the rating means if you sell, buy or let. If you want to see your own rating first, our free EPC rating check takes a few seconds.

Where band C sits on the scale

Every EPC gives a home a letter and a score. The letter is simply a summary of the score, so the number matters too. For example, a home scoring 69 and a home scoring 80 are both band C. However, the first is one point from a D, while the second is one point from a B.

Because of this, it pays to look at the score as well as the letter. A home near the bottom of the band could slip to D at its next assessment. By contrast, a home near the top has room to spare.

Is an EPC rating of C good?

Yes. Band C is generally seen as a good rating for a home in England and Wales. It means the property is fairly well insulated and has reasonably efficient heating. In fact, around half of homes in England are still below band C, so a C puts a property in the better half. Our Havering and Redbridge EPC data guide shows how this varies from area to area.

That said, context matters. A C in a Victorian house with solid walls took far more work than a C in a new-build flat. Likewise, bands A and B are better still, but they are mostly found in newer homes.

There are three ways to read a C, depending on who you are:

• Selling. A C is a strong selling point, since buyers can see the home should be cheaper to heat. There is no minimum rating to sell, but you do need a valid EPC before you market the home.
• Buying. A C suggests the basics are in decent shape. Even so, check the date on the certificate. An EPC lasts 10 years, and the home may have changed since the visit.
• Letting. A C clears today’s legal minimum easily. Moreover, it already meets the planned 2030 standard, which we cover below.

EPC rating C monthly cost: what a C-rated home costs to run

A C-rated home should cost noticeably less to heat than a D-rated home of the same size. The government’s English Housing Survey 2022 to 2023 energy report models average energy costs by band. Here is how the bands compare:

EPC band	Average a year	Average a month
A to C	£1,081	about £90
D	£1,561	about £130
G	£2,662	about £222

In other words, a home in bands A to C cost about £40 a month less to run than a D-rated home, on these figures. The report does not give separate averages for bands E and F, but they fall between D and G.

However, treat these as rough guides rather than a bill. They come from a standard model that assumes typical heating habits and 2022 fuel prices. Your real costs will depend on the size of your home, how you heat it and what you pay for energy.

For a figure that fits your own home, look at your certificate. It estimates the property’s energy costs, and it shows what they could be if the suggested improvements were made.

Band C and band B: what is the difference?

Band B covers scores from 81 to 91. Typically, a B-rated home was built to recent building standards, with very good insulation and modern heating.

For an existing home, moving from C to B is usually harder than moving from D to C. This is because the cheap gains, such as loft insulation and LED lighting, are often already done. As a result, the next steps tend to be bigger jobs. These include solid wall insulation, a heat pump or solar panels. Your certificate will show whether a B is realistic for your property, and our guide to EPC rating B explains the steps.

EPC C and landlords: the 2030 rule

Today, a rented home in England and Wales must reach at least band E, unless a valid exemption is registered. So a C-rated rental is comfortably compliant now.

Looking ahead, the government’s Warm Homes Plan, published on 21 January 2026, confirmed that private rented homes must reach the equivalent of band C by 1 October 2030. This covers new and existing tenancies. The spending cap is £10,000 per property, and eligible work paid for since 1 October 2025 counts towards it.

Bear in mind that this is confirmed policy rather than law so far. The regulations still have to go through Parliament, so details could change.

There is also good news for landlords who act early. A property that reaches band C on its current rating before 1 October 2029 is intended to count as compliant until that certificate expires. After that date, homes will be measured in a new way, so a future band C will not be judged quite the same as today’s. Our guide to EPC rules for landlords covers the standards, exemptions and penalties in full.

How to get from band D to band C

For many homes, D to C is a realistic step. Often, a few well-chosen improvements are enough, especially for a home near the top of band D. Our guide to EPC rating D walks through the steps in more detail.

The best place to start is your own certificate. It lists recommended measures in order, and it shows roughly how each one could change your rating. In general, these are the improvements that help most:

• Topping up loft insulation, which is usually one of the cheapest gains
• Filling empty cavity walls, if your home has them
• Upgrading an old boiler to a modern condensing model
• Adding better heating controls, such as thermostatic radiator valves
• Draught-proofing doors and windows
• Switching all lighting to LED

The cost depends on your starting point. According to the English Housing Survey, it costs around £7,400 on average to bring a home up to band C. Still, a home just below the line may need far less.

Once the work is done, you will need a new EPC to show the improved rating. Your old certificate will not update by itself.

Frequently asked questions

Is the EPC rating of C good?

Yes. Band C is a good rating for most homes. It is better than the D that many older homes have, and it already meets the band C standard planned for private rented homes by 2030.

What does an EPC rating of C mean?

It means the home scored between 69 and 80 out of 100 for energy efficiency. In practice, the property is reasonably well insulated and has fairly efficient heating, so it should be cheaper to run than a D-rated home.

How much is EPC rating C per month?

There is no fixed figure, because bills depend on the home and how it is used. As a rough guide, the government’s English Housing Survey modelled average energy costs of about £90 a month for homes rated A to C, compared with about £130 for band D. That is a difference of about £40 a month.

Is it worth moving from D to C?

Often, yes. On the English Housing Survey figures, a C-rated home costs about £480 a year less to run than a D. For landlords, band C is also the planned standard for 2030. However, the payback depends on what the work costs for your property, so check the recommendations on your certificate first.

How can I improve my EPC rating from C to B?

Start with the recommendations on your certificate. Moving from C to B usually needs bigger measures than earlier steps, such as solid wall insulation, a heat pump or solar panels. Not every home can reach B at a sensible cost.

Is EPC C mandatory?

Not yet. Currently, rented homes must reach 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. There is no minimum rating for selling or living in your own home.

Can my EPC rating drop from C to D?

Yes, it can. Assessment methods change over time, and an assessor can only record what they can see or what you can prove. So if insulation is hidden or a newer boiler cannot be confirmed, the score may fall. A home near the bottom of band C is most at risk.

Do I need a new EPC to show I have reached band C?

Yes. An EPC records the property on the day of the visit, so improvements made afterwards do not change it. If you have upgraded your home, a new assessment is the only way to show the better rating.

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.