Changes to EPCs are coming
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are set to change in England and Wales.
The government is planning to update how EPCs are calculated and presented, with a new system expected in the second half of 2027, aiming to give a more complete picture of how homes perform in energy efficiency.
For homeowners, it’s not something you need to act on today - but it’s worth understanding in a bit more detail – so, at Flogas, we’ll keep tracking what’s changing and explain what it means in practical terms, so you can make informed decisions without getting lost in policy detail.
What are EPC ratings?
An EPC is a certificate that shows how energy efficient your home is.
You’ll usually see:
- a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient)
- an estimate of energy costs
- suggested improvements to help reduce energy use
EPCs are required if you sell or rent out your home and are valid for 10 years.
For most people, the rating matters when it affects something like running costs, comfort, or how a property looks to buyers or tenants.
Why LPG and off-grid homes should pay attention
For many off-grid homes, EPC ratings have not always felt like a fair reflection of the property.
Under the current system, ratings are heavily influenced by out of date fuel cost assumptions, not just how efficient the home itself is. That means two similar homes can receive different EPC ratings simply because they use different fuels.
That is one reason these reforms are so important for LPG households. The new approach is expected to give a more detailed view of how a home performs, rather than leaning so heavily on one headline score.
What is expected to change
Today’s EPCs focus mainly on one headline A to G rating. Under the proposed reforms, EPCs are expected to show four separate measures:
- Fabric performance
How well your home retains heat - Heating system
The efficiency and carbon impact of your heating - Energy cost
Estimated annual running costs in pounds - Smart readiness
How suitable your home is for smart technology and flexible energy use
This means EPCs should move from a single score to a more detailed breakdown.
What that could mean in practice
If you have improved your home over time, through insulation, glazing, draught proofing or heating controls, those changes may become more visible in how your home is assessed.
It may also become easier to see:
- where your home performs well
- where improvements could make a real difference
- what matters most for comfort and running costs
At the same time, heating systems will still be part of the picture. So, outcomes will vary depending on the home, not just the fuel used.
The key change is that your EPC is likely to become more detailed and practical, rather than relying on one broad label.
What you do not need to worry about
There are a few common concerns we can clear up straight away.
- You do not need to replace your LPG boiler because of these changes
- There is no immediate action required for most homeowners
- Your current EPC remains valid for 10 years
This is an update to how homes are assessed, not a requirement to make sudden changes.
What happens next
The new EPC system is expected from 2027, and further detail will be confirmed over time.
We know that for many customers, the challenge is not a lack of information. It is knowing what actually matters.
That is where we can help.
We’ll continue to:
- break down EPC changes in plain English
- explain what they mean specifically for LPG and off-grid homes
- highlight what is worth acting on and what is not
- share updates as soon as the detail becomes clearer
so you can stay informed without having to follow every policy update yourself.
The bottom line
EPCs are changing, and the way homes are assessed is likely to become more detailed from 2027.
For LPG and off-grid homeowners, that could mean a more complete picture of how your home performs, especially if you have already invested in comfort and efficiency.
There is nothing you need to do today.
But it is worth understanding what is coming, and we’ll make sure you have clear, practical guidance as the changes take shape.
FAQs
When will the new EPC system start?
The reform had been expected in 2026, but it is now expected in the second half of 2027.
Will I need a new EPC now?
No. Existing EPCs remain valid for 10 years. You would usually only need a new one if you sell, let, or your current EPC expires.
Will I have to replace my LPG boiler?
No. The planned reforms do not mean you must replace your current heating system, and there is no boiler ban linked to this change.
What will the new EPC include?
The proposed system is expected to show four measures: fabric performance, heating system rating, energy cost, and smart readiness.
Why could this matter for off-grid homes?
Because current EPC ratings are strongly influenced by fuel cost assumptions, which can disadvantage off-grid properties even when the home itself performs well.
What home improvements are likely to matter most?
The draft points to fabric and comfort improvements such as loft insulation, wall insulation, draught proofing, glazing upgrades, and smart heating controls.
[JC1]How EPCs are calculated for new builds as part of the FHS are also changing so was pondering putting in a point about ‘existing buildings’ but might confuse the picture. Best to leave as is.
