EPC recommendations
EPC recommendations explained: how to read the report
Quick answer
Every EPC includes a recommendations section listing suggested improvements, each with an indicative installation cost, a typical yearly saving and the band the measure could help reach. The figures are illustrative, not guaranteed. Use them as a starting shortlist, prioritising low-cost, high-impact measures on your route to band C.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. The costs and savings on an EPC are indicative national estimates and will differ for your property. Always confirm the current rules on GOV.UK and have an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor assess your property before relying on any figures.
The recommendations section is the most practical part of an EPC: it tells you what could improve the home and roughly what it might cost and save. Reading it correctly helps you sequence works sensibly rather than overspending.
Where are the recommendations on an EPC?
Recommendations appear in their own section of the certificate, usually after the energy-efficiency rating graph. They are listed as suggested measures with indicative costs and savings.
You can view the recommendations for any lodged certificate on the official Find an Energy Certificate service.
What do the indicative-cost and typical-saving columns mean?
The indicative cost is a rough national estimate of installing the measure. The typical saving is an estimated reduction in annual energy bills.
Both figures are illustrative averages produced by the assessment software. Real quotes and savings vary by property, region and energy prices.
| Recommended measure | Indicative cost | Typical yearly saving | Rating impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increase loft insulation to 270mm | £300–£600 | £25–£45 | Small uplift, low cost |
| Cavity wall insulation | £500–£1,500 | £100–£200 | Moderate uplift |
| Replace boiler with condensing boiler | £2,200–£3,500 | £150–£300 | Moderate uplift |
| Low-energy lighting throughout | £15–£100 | £10–£40 | Small uplift, very low cost |
| Double glazing | £3,300–£6,500 | £40–£110 | Small uplift, high cost |
Why are some measures suggested and not others?
The software recommends measures that are relevant to what the assessor recorded — for example, it will not suggest loft insulation for a flat with no loft.
Measures already present, or not applicable to the property type, are excluded. The list is tailored to the building's features as assessed.
Which should you prioritise for band C?
Start with low-cost, high-impact measures, then work up to larger investments only where needed to reach band C.
- Loft insulation and low-energy lighting — cheap and quick wins.
- Heating controls and cylinder insulation — modest cost, useful uplift.
- Cavity or wall insulation — larger gains where the wall type allows.
- Glazing and major heating changes — only if still short of band C.
Are the costs and savings guaranteed?
No. The figures on an EPC are indicative estimates, not quotes or promises. They are produced by standard assessment software using national averages.
Always obtain real installer quotes and model the likely band change before committing to works.
Related questions
Do I have to follow the EPC recommendations?
No. The recommendations are advisory, not mandatory. However, they are a useful starting shortlist if you need to improve the band to meet MEES or the proposed band C standard for rented homes.
Why are the EPC savings different from my actual bills?
EPC figures use standard national assumptions about occupancy and energy use, so they rarely match a specific household. Treat them as comparative estimates between properties rather than a personal forecast.
Can the recommendations tell me my route to band C?
They give a starting point, but the EPC does not sequence works for you. Combining the recommendations with modelling helps you choose the most cost-effective order of improvements toward band C.
Frequently asked questions
- Are EPC recommendation costs accurate?
- They are indicative national estimates, not quotes. Actual installation costs depend on your property, region and contractor, so always obtain real quotes before planning a budget.
- Do recommendations update automatically?
- No. The recommendations are fixed to the certificate when it is lodged. To get updated suggestions you need a new assessment by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.
- Can AI-EPC help me interpret my EPC recommendations?
- Yes — AI-EPC is AI-assisted and helps you interpret the recommendations and model likely band changes. Any official EPC must be assessed and lodged by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor; the AI supports interpretation and planning and never replaces the accredited assessor.
Keep reading
EPC improvement costs
Indicative costs of common EPC improvements and how to budget a route to band C.
Read guideEPC ratings A–G explained
What each EPC band means, the SAP scores behind them and what counts as 'good'.
Read guideWhat is RdSAP?
The assessment method behind domestic EPCs, and why your inputs matter.
Read guide