Most landlords’ ignorance of the points-based EPC system means they can sometimes spend more money than necessary on energy efficiency improvements.

epIMS, the EPC and energy efficiency platform, explains that a property with a rating of D could be just one point, and therefore one minor improvement, away from upgrading to a C.

A score of between 92-100 points gives an A rating, while 81-91 points gives a rating of B and 69-80 points gives a rating of C. However, 95% of landlords admit to not knowing the current points score held by their property – with the 2030 deadline for PRS properties to meet a minimum C rating growing ever nearer.

Its research found that adding the most sustainable features to a home isn’t always the best way to add points and therefore improve an EPC rating. For example, a standard condensing gas boiler adds an average of 23 points, whereas a BIOMASS boiler only adds 12 points.

Improved insulation is another great way of adding EPC points, but although the go-to option is often double glazing, not only is it expensive, it also only adds an average of 3.3 points. Roof insulation (9.91 points) is the most effective measure when it comes to improving an EPC score, says epIMS.

£8,000

While the estimated cost of achieving a C rating comes in at around £8,000, many landlords may find they pour a far greater amount of money into their property without seeing any real improvement to their EPC score, according to epIMS boss Craig Cooper (pictured).

He says landlords need to know what score their property holds and exactly how many points they’re going to get from each particular efficiency upgrade available.

Adds Cooper: “That’s why we’ve developed epIMS and our platform utilises advanced algorithms and AI to calculate exactly how a property can best reach the next EPC rating band.”