What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a crucial document for property owners in the UK, serving as a comprehensive report that outlines the energy efficiency of a building. The certificate uses a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G the least. It not only shows the current energy efficiency but also suggests improvements that can be made to save energy and reduce costs.
Benefits of an EPC for Durham Property Owners
- Cost Savings – One of the most direct benefits of having an EPC is the potential for cost savings. Property owners can identify where they can make effective energy-saving upgrades, resulting in lower energy bills over time.
- Increase in Property Value – Properties that rate higher on the EPC are generally considered more valuable, appealing to potential buyers or renters who prioritise energy efficiency and lower utility bills.
- Environmental Impact – Implementing the recommendations on an EPC can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of a property, thereby contributing to the broader societal goal of sustainability and environmental conservation.
Upgrades Property Owners Can Make
- Insulation – Adding or improving insulation in your property can make a significant impact on its energy efficiency. This includes loft insulation, wall insulation, and floor insulation.
- Heating System – Older boilers and heating systems can be energy hogs. Upgrading to a more energy-efficient model can lead to considerable energy savings.
- Windows – Double-glazed windows can make a huge difference in retaining heat, thereby reducing energy costs. For older properties in Durham, especially, this can be a game-changer.
- Solar Panels – Although a pricier upfront investment, solar panels offer long-term savings and can remarkably improve your EPC rating.
Government Regulations
The UK government has set regulations that make it obligatory for property owners to have a valid EPC when renting out or selling their property. Since April 2018, landlords must ensure that their properties meet a minimum energy efficiency standard, usually an EPC rating of ‘E’ or higher, before renting it out to new tenants. Failure to comply can result in penalties.
EPC data for Durham
Figures below are for County Durham, the local authority covering Durham, from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register to 2026 Q2.
10,764EPCs reach their 10-year expiry in the next 12 months
Band CThe most common rating, on 54% of certificates
42%Rated D or below, against 46% nationally
£980Average estimated heating cost a year
That expiry count is certificates lodged ten years ago and now coming up for renewal. Some of those homes have already been re-certified since, which authority-level data cannot show, so treat it as the ceiling rather than a to-do list.
How County Durham rates
Share of the 76,754 certificates lodged in the five years to 2026 Q2. This is the certificates lodged, not a survey of every home in the area.
What gets assessed around here
72% of the certificates lodged here are for houses. The average floor area is 80.8m², roughly 4m² smaller than the England and Wales average. Estimated heating costs average £980 a year, £41 a year above the national figure. 36% of certificates were lodged for rented homes.
Radon in Durham
Durham sits in a radon Affected Area. The UKHSA and British Geological Survey put the 1km square covering the town centre in a band where between 1 and 3 in 100 homes are estimated to be at or above the radon action level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. Radon is not measured during an EPC survey and does not affect the rating, but if you are buying, selling or improving a home here it is worth a test kit, and worth knowing before you seal a property up: draught-proofing and insulation work can raise indoor radon if ventilation is reduced. The atlas is indicative and works to a 1km grid, so it describes the area rather than any one property.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Planning records published for the area within a mile of Durham centre show 2 conservation areas. That matters for an EPC in two ways. A listed building is normally exempt from needing one where meeting the minimum energy requirements would unacceptably alter its character or appearance, though the exemption is not automatic and the decision rests with the owner on advice. And in conservation areas and article 4 areas the improvements an EPC recommends, replacement glazing or external wall insulation in particular, often need consent before they can be carried out. Your assessor will record what is actually there; the consent question is one for the council.
What an EPC costs in Durham
An EPC around here generally costs between £55 and £150, though it depends on the property: floor area, whether there are rooms in the roof, extensions, and how far the assessor travels all move the price. We are not a panel and we do not set anybody's fees, so the figure you are quoted comes from the assessor doing the work. Contact one above for a price on your property.
