A good EPC rating is band C or better, which means a SAP score of 69 or above. Band D (55 to 68) is about average for an English home. Bands E, F and G are poor, and band A or B is excellent.
The score is a running-cost index, so a higher band means a home that is cheaper to keep warm, all else equal. It does not tell you what your own bills will be. Below are the bands, how your home compares with the rest of the housing stock, and what "good" means depending on whether you own the home, are buying it or rent it out.
The EPC bands and what each one means
The Office for National Statistics gives the SAP score range for each band. The verdicts in the third column are our own judgement, based on where the average home sits.
| Band | SAP score | Our verdict | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 92 plus | Excellent | |
| B | 81 to 91 | Very good | EPC B guide |
| C | 69 to 80 | Good | EPC C guide |
| D | 55 to 68 | Average | EPC D guide |
| E | 39 to 54 | Poor | EPC E guide |
| F | 21 to 38 | Very poor | EPC F guide |
| G | 1 to 20 | Worst | EPC G guide |
The SAP score is an index of annual space and water heating costs for a standard heating pattern, on a scale of 1 to 100, where 100 represents zero energy costs. That definition comes from the English Housing Survey. For the full chart and how to read the two arrows on a certificate, see our EPC rating chart explained.
How does your home compare?
Roughly half of homes in England and Wales are below band C.
The English Housing Survey 2024-25 found the average SAP score for English homes was 68 in 2024, which is the top of band D. It also found that 56% of homes were in bands A to C, 35% were in band D and 9% were in bands E to G. Those figures come from inspections of a sample of all dwellings, not just those with a certificate.
The certificates on the national register give a different picture, because they cover a different set of homes. EPCGuide's analysis of the full domestic EPC register for England and Wales, 27.6 million certificates covering 19.7 million homes, found that 49.6% of homes are below band C, about 9.8 million properties. The two sets of figures use different bases, so do not add them together. They do agree on the main point: the average home sits at the top of band D, and between 44% and 50% of homes sit below C.
Age matters. The same English Housing Survey found that only 27% of homes built before 1919 were in bands A to C, while most homes built after 1944 were.
Need an EPC for your property?
Only an assessment by an accredited energy assessor produces an official EPC. Tell us about the property and we can put you in touch with a trusted one.
What "good" means if you own the home
For a homeowner, a good rating mostly means lower bills.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has data showing that median equivalised fuel costs for a property rated A, B or C are around £400 a year lower than for a D-rated property, and £1,200 a year lower than for an E-rated one. We are citing it as quoted in Nationwide's June 2026 report. "Equivalised" means adjusted for household size, and these are medians, so your own figure will differ.
Do not expect a large jump in sale price. The same Nationwide analysis of owner-occupied homes in England found A or B rated homes sold for 1.6% more than similar D-rated homes, F or G rated homes sold for 1.4% less, and C and E rated homes showed little difference from D. For a homeowner, band C is a good target because of the bills. The price effect is small.
What does it cost to get there? The English Housing Survey 2024-25 reports average costs to improve a home to band C of £6,002 for a D-rated home, £12,430 for an E-rated home and £17,354 for an F or G-rated home. Those are averages across England, and any single house can differ a lot.
If your certificate is more than a few years old, the rating may be out of date. You can check the date and, if needed, book a new assessment.
What "good" means if you are buying
A buyer should treat the band as a clue to running costs and to the work the house may need. A band C or better house is unlikely to need major work on efficiency. A house in E, F or G may need thousands of pounds spent on it.
Some lenders also price by EPC. NatWest's green mortgage range, for example, requires an EPC of A or B. Band C does not qualify for that product, unless it is a new build bought within two years of construction.
Our guide to what to check about the EPC when buying a house covers where to find the certificate, how to read it and what to ask the seller.
What "good" means if you are a landlord
For a landlord, "good" is a legal question as well as a cost one.
In England and Wales the minimum EPC band for letting is E, under SI 2015/962. The GOV.UK landlord guidance sets the cost cap in force at £3,500 including VAT.
The government has decided on a higher standard but it is not yet law. Its response of 21 January 2026 sets 1 October 2030 as the date by which tenancies in scope must comply. It is usually described as EPC C, but it is a dual-metric standard, and it needs an Act of Parliament and then a statutory instrument first. Until then, band E is the legal line and band C is the sensible planning target. Each band guide above shows what the rating means for a rental.
Is chasing band A or B worth it?
Usually not for its own sake. The measured sale price gap between C and D is small. The larger measured premium goes to A or B, and at 1.6% it is still modest. Aim for band C first, because that is where the running-cost difference and the landlord planning target meet.
One caution: a SAP score is calculated with standard assumptions, not from your meter readings. The EPC format is also changing, with the reformed EPCs now due in the second half of 2027, so the same house may score differently under the new method.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good EPC rating? Band C or above, a SAP score of 69 or more. Band D is the average for English homes. Bands E to G are poor.
Is EPC D a good rating? It is average, not good. The English Housing Survey put the average SAP score for English homes at 68 in 2024, which is the top of band D. A D-rated home is legal to sell and to let, but it is likely to cost more to heat than a C.
Is EPC B better than C? Yes. Band B covers SAP 81 to 91 and band C covers 69 to 80. For owner-occupiers, Nationwide found in June 2026 that A or B rated homes sold for a 1.6% premium over D.
What is the average EPC rating in England? Band D. The ONS reports a median EPC score of 68 for England and 67 for Wales, using records from the 10 years up to March 2024, and both scores are in band D.
What EPC rating do I need to rent out a house? Band E or above at the moment. A government decision to raise the standard from 1 October 2030 is usually described as EPC C, but it is not yet law.
What EPC rating do I need for a green mortgage? It depends on the lender. NatWest requires A or B. Lender criteria change often, so check with a broker.
How do I improve my EPC rating? Your certificate lists recommended improvements, each with an indicative cost and the rating you would reach. GOV.UK's guidance says there is no legal requirement to carry them out, so you can choose which ones to do.