Your Energy Performance Certificate now affects far more than a line on a sales listing. It decides whether a landlord can keep letting a property, it shapes mortgage and valuation conversations, and from 2027 it will grade your heating system on its own. The good news: you can see exactly where your home stands in under a minute with our free EPC Rating Checker, and then compare the heating and hot water upgrades most likely to move it up a band.
This guide explains how the checker works, what UK EPC legislation looks like as of October 2026, and which ErP A-rated gas and electric products on the AIZO Quality Heating site make the biggest difference.
What the EPC bands mean
Every domestic EPC in England and Wales currently shows an Energy Efficiency Rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), based on a SAP score. The certificate is valid for 10 years and must be provided when a home is sold or let.
SAP score ranges for the current A to G Energy Efficiency Rating.
How the AIZO EPC Rating Checker works
The EPC Rating Checker is free, instant and needs no account. It reads your existing certificate, then matches it to heating and hot water upgrades from our range.
Enter your postcode
Type your postcode and pick your address from the list to pull up your home's registered EPC.
See what your certificate says
View your current rating and the details that drive it, including your main heating and hot water system.
No certificate? Answer four questions
If your home has no EPC, or you live in Scotland, tell us your home type, heating, hot water and insulation level instead.
Plan and compare upgrades
We pick the best fit for your home, and you can swap options to compare what each one means for rating, comfort and installation.
UK EPC legislation: what has changed in 2026
Three policy changes this year matter for anyone who owns, lets or is improving a home in England and Wales.
1. Private rentals must reach EPC C by 1 October 2030
Today, a privately rented home in England and Wales must have at least an EPC E. On 21 January 2026, alongside the Warm Homes Plan, the government published its response to the 2025 consultation and confirmed it will raise the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard to the equivalent of band C. The key points from that response are:
| Rule | What the government has said |
|---|---|
| Deadline | One date for new and existing tenancies: 1 October 2030. The earlier phased 2028 plan was dropped. |
| Cost cap | Landlords spend up to £10,000 per property, reviewed every five years. Below a £100,000 property value, the cap is reduced. |
| Early spend counts | Qualifying work carried out from 1 October 2025 counts towards the cap. |
| Transition | A band C rating on an EPC lodged before 1 October 2029 is treated as compliant until that certificate expires. |
| Penalties | Local authorities will be able to fine up to £30,000 per non-compliant property. |
| Short-term lets | Holiday and short-term lets are excluded from the C standard but still need an EPC. |
| Status | This is confirmed policy, not yet law. New powers and regulations are expected to follow, with legislation anticipated in 2027. |
2. EPCs are moving to four separate metrics, now expected in the second half of 2027
The single A to G score is being replaced by four headline ratings calculated with the government's new Home Energy Model (HEM) instead of SAP: fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness and energy cost. The launch was originally targeted for October 2026, but in March 2026 the government moved it to the second half of 2027 after industry feedback on the delivery timeline. Certificates will stay valid for 10 years, and you will not need a new EPC just because the format changes.
For the 2030 rental standard, fabric performance is the primary metric. Landlords will then meet a second standard using either the heating system metric or the smart readiness metric.
3. Grants for clean heating have grown
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme in England and Wales has been extended to 2030. It pays £7,500 towards an air source or ground source heat pump, rising to £9,000 for eligible homes switching from oil or LPG on applications between 21 July 2026 and 31 March 2027. Air-to-air heat pumps are now eligible for a £2,500 grant. The grant is claimed through an MCS-certified installer. Lower-income households in EPC D to G homes may also qualify for the means-tested Warm Homes: Local Grant through their council.
Scotland runs its own EPC and rental standards. Its new-style certificates have also been delayed to match the UK timetable, so Scottish users should use the four-question route in the checker.
The honest answer on gas boilers and your EPC
A new ErP A-rated condensing combi with smart controls is still one of the cheapest ways to lift today's SAP-based rating, especially if it replaces an old non-condensing boiler, a back boiler or electric storage heaters. That matters because a band C lodged before 1 October 2029 stays valid until it expires.
Under the proposed new heating system metric, however, the government intends that no home relying on a fossil fuel boiler for its main space or water heating can score a C. Gas-heated homes can still comply through the fabric and smart readiness route, but the heating system route is reserved for low-carbon heat.
- Selling or remortgaging soon: an A-rated gas boiler plus controls is a quick, low-cost lift to your current rating.
- Landlord planning for 2030: combine fabric upgrades with smart controls, or move to a heat pump to keep both routes open.
- Long-term owner: an A+++ heat pump with a £7,500 grant future-proofs the heating system metric.
Which upgrade moves your rating most?
The checker compares these options against your actual certificate. As a general guide:
| Upgrade | Best for | Typical ErP class | Grant support | Installer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A-rated gas combi or system boiler | Homes with an old gas boiler that want a fast, low-cost lift | A | None for gas boilers | Gas Safe registered engineer |
| Air source heat pump | Owners and landlords planning beyond 2030; oil and LPG homes | A+++ | £7,500, or £9,000 off oil/LPG until 31 March 2027 | MCS-certified installer |
| Heat pump water heater | Replacing an electric immersion or instant electric hot water | A+ | Not covered by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme | Qualified installer; G3 for unvented models |
| Air-to-air heat pump (split or through-wall) | Room-by-room heating and cooling, flats, homes on electric panel heaters | A to A++ | £2,500 air-to-air grant when MCS-installed | F-Gas engineer for splits; RAC Solo needs none |
| Smart heating controls | Any wet heating system; supports the smart readiness metric | Adds to system efficiency | None | Competent installer or DIY for some models |
Recommended gas options: ErP A-rated boilers
Every gas combi in our range is A-rated under ErP. These are a sensible choice where a heat pump is not practical yet, or where you need a quick improvement to your current certificate. Pair any of them with smart thermostats and a magnetic filter to meet Boiler Plus rules. Where only the hot water needs upgrading, the ErP A Biasi Multipoint 16S gas water heater delivers up to 16 litres per minute on demand.
Baxi
Baxi 424 Combi 2.1 24kW Gas Boiler
ErP A for both space heating and hot water, with a stainless steel heat exchanger and a 5-year parts and labour warranty. Fits a 290mm-deep cupboard and runs on natural gas or LPG without a conversion kit, ideal for flats and terraces.
£870.00 inc. VAT
Baxi, Vaillant, Viessmann, Ariston and more
A-Rated Gas Combi Boiler Range
Choose from 24kW to 54kW combis with warranties of up to 10 years, including the Vaillant ecoTEC Sustain, Viessmann Vitodens and Ideal Logic Max. A room-by-room heat loss calculation will make sure you pick the right size.
Recommended electric options: A+ to A+++ heat pumps
Low-carbon electric heating is where the new EPC framework is heading. Heat pumps for space heating, heat pump water heaters for hot water and air-to-air heat pumps for individual rooms all sit at or above the A threshold. For homes that already have a heat pump, an ErP A-rated OSO Delta GeoCoil cylinder cuts standing heat loss with vacuum insulation panels.
Mitsubishi Electric
Ecodan R290 5kW Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump
A+++ at 35°C flow with a SCOP of 4.62, natural R290 refrigerant and flow temperatures up to 75°C, so it often works with existing radiators. Suits well-insulated 2 to 3 bed homes and is Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligible when MCS-installed. Outdoor unit only; pair with an FTC7 cylinder or controller.
£2,995.00 inc. VAT
Vaillant
Vaillant aroSTOR 200L Heat Pump Hot Water Cylinder
A+ rated (132% water heating efficiency, COP 3.19) with R290 refrigerant, reaching 60°C on the heat pump alone and delivering up to 247 litres of mixed hot water at 40°C. A self-contained unvented cylinder with no outdoor unit, PV and low-tariff ready, and a 5-year stainless tank warranty.
£2,895.00 inc. VAT
Panasonic
RAC Solo 1.7kW R290 All-in-One Heat Pump
The only R290 model in the RAC Solo range: natural propane refrigerant with a GWP of just 3, heating and cooling with no outdoor unit, just two 162mm wall openings. A-rated for heating and cooling (SCOP 3.70, SEER 4.60), heats down to -15°C and arrives factory-sealed, so no F-Gas engineer is needed. Ideal for flats, listed buildings and rooms up to about 15m².
£1,750.00 inc. VAT
ErP A and above: our full shortlist
We scanned the AIZO Quality Heating catalogue for products with a confirmed ErP rating of A or higher that match the upgrade paths in the checker. Prices are correct at the time of writing.
| Product | Fuel | Type | ErP class | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biasi Multipoint 16S 30kW with horizontal flue | Gas or LPG | Instantaneous multipoint water heater | A16 L/min, ηWH 80.5% | £430.00 |
| Ariston E-Combi ONE 24kW with horizontal flue | Gas | Combi boiler | A | £630.00 |
| Ariston Prios Net 50 5.3kW split air conditioner | Electric | Split air-to-air heat pump | A++cooling and heating | £850.00 |
| Baxi 424 Combi 2.1 24kW | Gas or LPG | Combi boiler | Aheating and hot water | £870.00 |
| Baxi 436 Combi 2.1 36kW | Gas or LPG | Combi boiler | A | £1,099.00 |
| Vaillant ecoTEC Sustain 24kW | Gas | Combi boiler | A | £1,100.00 |
| Ariston Prios Net 70 7kW split air conditioner | Electric | Split air-to-air heat pump | A++cooling and heating | £1,100.00 |
| Becker & Wolf 200L floor-standing heat pump water heater | Electric | Hot water heat pump | A+COP 3.677 | £1,695.00 |
| Panasonic RAC Solo 2kW R32 (no outdoor unit) | Electric | Through-wall air-to-air heat pump | A+cooling | £1,730.00 |
| Panasonic RAC Solo 1.7kW R290 (no outdoor unit) | Electric | Through-wall air-to-air heat pump | AR290, GWP 3, SCOP 3.70 | £1,750.00 |
| Becker & Wolf 250L floor-standing heat pump water heater | Electric | Hot water heat pump | A+ | £1,750.00 |
| Panasonic RAC Solo 2.5kW R32 (no outdoor unit) | Electric | Through-wall air-to-air heat pump | A+cooling | £1,770.00 |
| Becker & Wolf 300L floor-standing heat pump water heater | Electric | Hot water heat pump | A+ | £1,850.00 |
| Panasonic RAC Solo 3.0kW R32 (no outdoor unit) | Electric | Through-wall air-to-air heat pump | Aheating | £1,995.00 |
| OSO Delta GeoCoil DGC250L heat pump cylinder | Electric (heat pump) | Unvented heat pump cylinder | Avacuum insulated, 25-yr tank | £2,100.00 |
| Vaillant aroSTOR 200L heat pump hot water cylinder | Electric | Hot water heat pump | A+ηWH 132%, COP 3.19 | £2,895.00 |
| OSO AquaSustain DHP 200L integrated heat pump cylinder | Electric | Hot water heat pump (MEV) | A+R290, COP up to 3.16 | £2,970.00 |
| Mitsubishi Ecodan R290 5kW monobloc | Electric | Air source heat pump | A+++35°C flow, SCOP 4.62 | £2,995.00 |
| OSO AquaSustain 260L integrated heat pump cylinder | Electric | Hot water heat pump (MEV) | A+R290, 60°C on heat pump | £3,200.00 |
Sizing a heat pump?
Use our Heat Pump Kit builder to match an outdoor unit, cylinder and controls, or read the Heat Pump Buying Guide.
Replacing a boiler?
The Boiler Buying Kit builder bundles the boiler, flue, filter and controls, and our Part L guide covers the regulations.
EPC rating checker: frequently asked questions
How do I check my EPC rating?
Enter your postcode in the AIZO EPC Rating Checker and choose your address. It shows your current certificate and suggests heating and hot water upgrades. If your home has no EPC, answer four quick questions instead.
Does the checker give me a new EPC?
No. It gives guidance based on your existing certificate. To update your official rating after upgrading, book an accredited domestic energy assessor.
Do landlords need EPC C by 2030?
The government confirmed in January 2026 that privately rented homes in England and Wales should reach the equivalent of EPC C by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap per property. Legislation is still to be passed, and the current legal minimum remains E.
Will a new gas boiler improve my EPC?
On today's certificate, usually yes, particularly if it replaces an older, less efficient boiler. Under the proposed new heating system metric, homes heated mainly by a fossil fuel boiler are not expected to score a C, so gas-heated homes would rely on fabric and smart readiness to meet future standards.
When do the new four-metric EPCs start?
The government has moved the launch to the second half of 2027. Existing certificates stay valid until they expire, and certificates remain valid for 10 years.
What does ErP A mean?
ErP (Energy-related Products) labels grade the seasonal efficiency of heaters and water heaters. Condensing gas boilers typically reach A, while heat pumps reach A+ to A+++ because they move more heat than the electricity they use.
Can air conditioning improve my EPC?
A reversible air-to-air heat pump, such as a split system or the Panasonic RAC Solo, heats far more efficiently than electric panel heaters, so it can help where it replaces direct electric heating. Split systems need an F-Gas certified engineer; the RAC Solo arrives sealed and does not.
Can I get a grant for a heat pump?
Yes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 towards an air or ground source heat pump in England and Wales, £9,000 for eligible oil and LPG homes until 31 March 2027, and £2,500 for air-to-air systems. Your MCS-certified installer applies on your behalf.
Find out where your home stands today
Check your EPC for free, then let our team help you choose the right A-rated upgrade.
This article is general guidance on UK policy as of October 2026 and is not legal advice. Policy details may change as legislation is introduced. Gas appliances must be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer; heat pumps claiming the Boiler Upgrade Scheme must be installed by an MCS-certified installer.