E

EPC rating E

SAP score 39–54. The current legal minimum for letting. Nothing to spare.

What band E means

Band E covers SAP scores from 39 to 54. Heat escapes quickly, and bills are high for the comfort delivered.

Typical properties

Older solid wall homes with an ageing boiler, or properties heated by electric storage heaters.

Band E is the current minimum for a private rented home in England & Wales. It is also a long way from the 2030 band C standard — start planning now.

Quotes for the work

Heating is usually the single biggest item on a band E property. Insulation comes first, but a quote tells you what the heating step would cost.

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Getting from band E to band C

Worked from a SAP score of 47, in the middle of band E, for an average sized property with nothing done yet. Cheapest measures first.

MeasureCostScore after
Hot water cylinder insulation£20–£6049
Loft insulation to 270 mm£100–£35053
Low energy lighting throughout£25–£9054
Cavity wall insulation£600–£1,80063
Heating controls and TRVs£350–£90066
Condensing gas boiler£2,200–£3,60074

About £3,295 to £6,800 in total. Use the upgrade cost calculator for your own score.

Common questions

Can I sell a property with an EPC rating of E?

Yes. There is no minimum band for selling in England & Wales — you only need a valid certificate before the property is marketed.

Can I let a property with an EPC rating of E?

Yes, today. From 1 October 2030 the minimum for a private rented home rises to band C.

How do I improve the rating?

Insulation first, then heating and controls, then generation. Cheap measures such as loft insulation and cylinder insulation buy SAP points for a fraction of the cost of new windows or a heat pump.

Other bands