EPC Reform - The NRH Seminar

Picture Credit: National Retrofit Hub Logo

💥 EPC Reform: Breaking the Bottleneck in Retrofit 💥

If you’re a retrofit or energy professional, you’ve probably been frustrated by the limitations of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). They’ve become a cornerstone for net-zero and energy efficiency policy, but are they really fit for purpose?

At the recent National Retrofit Hub seminar, industry leaders came together to confront this very question. The verdict? EPCs are holding back progress—and the only way forward is a comprehensive reform. With the government’s new consultation on EPC reform now live, this is the moment to make our collective voice heard.

Here’s what was discussed, what needs to change, and how a smarter EPC system could supercharge the retrofit sector. 🚀

📉 EPCs Today: A Flawed System

Let’s get straight to the point: EPCs aren’t delivering what retrofit professionals need.

🔍 Muddled Metrics: The current energy efficiency rating is based on energy cost—not carbon emissions or actual performance. This means homes with gas boilers often score better than homes using electric heat pumps, even though the latter is greener. As Steph Lundy of Ecology Building Society pointed out,

“We have a system where a zero-carbon home can score worse than a fossil-fueled home. That’s simply not acceptable.”

📊 Inaccurate Data: Many EPCs are outdated or based on poor assumptions rather than real-world performance. Christopher Price from Knauf Insulation shared a case study where homes retrofitted to high standards saw a 31% improvement in thermal efficiency, yet this wasn’t reflected in their EPCs.

“The system doesn’t capture what’s actually happening in the building. That’s a huge problem,” he said.

🛠️ Lack of Trust: A survey conducted by the National Retrofit Hub revealed that 57% of professionals have little to no trust in EPCs. If those of us in the industry don’t trust the system, how can we expect consumers to act on it?

🌟 The National Retrofit Hub’s Eight-Point Plan

The seminar didn’t just highlight the problems—it laid out solutions. The National Retrofit Hub proposed an ambitious roadmap for EPC reform:

🎯 Set Clear Goals
Fix the EPC system first, then increase uptake. Scaling a flawed system will only deepen the challenges.
🔀 Introduce Smarter Metrics
Separate metrics for cost, carbon, and energy efficiency are needed to ensure we’re hitting the right targets.
📊 Use Real Data
Incorporate smart meter data, thermal imaging, and airtightness testing to reflect actual home performance.
🔎 Add Confidence Ratings
Highlight whether an EPC is based on high-quality data or basic estimates.
🏥 Include Health and Climate Resilience
Add metrics for overheating risk, air quality, and flood resilience to create a more holistic view of building performance.
📖 Link EPCs to Digital Logbooks
A digital “passport” for every home could track its retrofit history and future opportunities.
🤝 Engage Homeowners
Make EPCs interactive, allowing users to input their energy usage and see tailored recommendations.
💡 Rebrand EPCs
Shift the narrative from “compliance document” to “actionable tool for improvement.”

🏗️ Implications for Retrofit Professionals

So, what does this mean for you and your work?

1. Better Planning and Design

A more accurate EPC system would provide designers, coordinators, and installers with detailed baseline data, making it easier to create tailored retrofit plans. As Toby Morris from Mixergy noted,

“EPC reform would help us design smarter technologies and solutions that actually suit the buildings we’re retrofitting.”

2. Unlocking Green Finance

Banks and building societies are eager to fund energy-efficient retrofits, but outdated EPCs are a bottleneck. Steph Lundy explained,

“Lenders like us need reliable data to assess the environmental impact of a home. Right now, the system just doesn’t give us that confidence.”

Improved EPCs could unlock billions in green finance, creating opportunities for the entire retrofit supply chain.

3. Building Trust with Clients

Consumers are often skeptical about retrofit investments, partly because they don’t see reliable evidence of savings or improvements. A revamped EPC system, tied to real-world performance, could help professionals build trust and drive uptake.

4. Reducing Fuel Poverty and Inequality

Improving the EPC system isn’t just about hitting climate targets—it’s about fairness. Lower-income households are disproportionately affected by poorly performing homes. Adding metrics for health and overheating risks would help target vulnerable populations, ensuring retrofits deliver maximum impact.

🔥 The Case for Real-World Data

One of the most exciting proposals from the seminar was the integration of real-world performance data into EPCs.

Smart Meter Data: Integrating smart meters into the EPC process could provide accurate energy use data, reducing the reliance on generic models.
SMETER Technology: Smart Meter-enabled Thermal Efficiency Ratings (SMETERs) can measure the actual fabric performance of a building, independent of occupant behavior. As Christopher Price explained,

“This technology would finally close the gap between modeled and real-world performance, building trust and improving accuracy.”

For professionals, this shift would mean fewer surprises on-site and a stronger case for funding retrofit projects.

The seminar made it clear: EPC reform isn’t just a technical issue—it’s a social justice issue.

🏘️ Healthier Homes
Poorly performing homes contribute to fuel poverty and health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations. Adding metrics for air quality and damp would help prioritise retrofits where they’re needed most.

🌡️ Tackling Overheating
With climate change accelerating, overheating is becoming a critical risk. A study cited at the seminar found that 50% of UK homes are already at risk of overheating, rising to 99% with 2°C of warming. Steph Lundy made the point;

“We need to make overheating part of the EPC framework—it’s not just a comfort issue; it’s a health issue,”

🚀 What’s Next?

The government’s EPC reform consultation is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get this right. The National Retrofit Hub is urging all professionals in the sector to contribute their expertise and push for meaningful change.

Here’s how you can get involved:

📋 Respond to the Consultation: Make your voice heard and advocate for the changes that will best support your work.
🤝 Join the Conversation: Collaborate with colleagues, share best practices, and align on key priorities - get talking about the issues that matter to you.
📣 Spread the Word: Use your network to amplify the need for EPC reform—whether it’s with policymakers, clients, or industry groups.

As Toby Morris emphasized,

“This isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s about building a system that reflects the reality of our homes and gives us the tools to drive meaningful change.”

Let’s Make It Happen

The EPC reform consultation isn’t just a technical debate—it’s a pivotal moment for the retrofit industry. The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities. A smarter, more accurate EPC system could unlock new funding, improve project outcomes, and help us meet our net-zero goals.

Now is the time for retrofit professionals to step up, speak out, and shape the future of energy performance.

💬 What are YOUR thoughts on EPC reform? Are there key changes you want to see?

EPC Reform - National Retrofit Hub