Has anyone had one of these done as part of EPC?
I’ve just had my EPC done and I’ve been told I’m a couple of points off a C which I’ll need for new regs.
I’ve been told they can do an air tightness test that might push bit up a couple of points.
Has anyone had this done and did it make a difference?
Do you know how much an air tightness test costs? Heard of it on new builds , not on old properties
Been told it’s £150 but if it doesn’t pass I don’t pay
Would be interested in knowing who offers this.
Maybe do some draught proofing first (the foam strips on doors/windows etc)
Best
[quote=“Clare11, post:1, topic:91269”]
“I’ve just had my EPC done and I’ve been told I’m a couple of points off a C which I’ll need for new regs.”
Under the new EPC system set to come in 2030 every rental property will need to achieve an EPC C or above. A new scoring system will be introduced. My understanding is that an EPC C achieved under the current system will not achieve a C under the new scoring system.
Best!
But if you get an epc c under old /current method before oct 2029 its valid for another 10 years so to 2039. That’s going to be easier and cheaper as new method is tougher. And puts off the problem for 10y
Details here
Best
Mine has run out so I needed it doing.
He’s been, done the test and I’ve achieved a C.
Worth the £150 because I’m don’t need to worry for 10 years now.
I imagine there will be a big rush for them in 2029!
Looks like a Catch 22. No air circulation will cause black mould. Eg Using a bedroom as a gym with windows shut. Letting agents ask you to put vents in upvc windows so you do it to circumvent those people who insist on having windows closed. One family with two young twin boys about 7 to 9 were said to have breathing issues and so they kept the windows shut! Stale air. Black mould. Then we hear about new builds being far too hot. There is no answer to how people choose to live and you pick up the pieces after they leave.
is it a solid wall house?
(No wall insulation or no cavity to put cavity wall insulation )
I have old solid wall houses and wondering if it’s possible to get it to a C without wall insulation or solar panels.
Your energy assessor will be able to enter some figures for air tightness test results in to your existing assessment data to see exactly what the best possible rating improvement could ever be from that single measure. For example they could enter a ridiculously good test result of 1 m3/m2/hr into the software and see what improvement that would make. If it could only ever make one point improvement (like with my house) then you know it won’t ever be good enough on its own to get to your target. Even if it could get you two points, you won’t know for sure until you get the test actually conducted, and the actual test result added. You assessor however can enter other figures like 6, 8, etc to help quantify the ‘risk’ against the £200 or so cost of a pressure test. The most difference I have seen it make is 7 points on a Passivhaus, already with an A band rating, but the building fabric was excellent and supported that result. I wonder, how old is your property? There are however other ways to get just two points, for which there are no corresponding recommendations programmed to appear on the EPC for, but they depend on your particular property. For example if you have a typical boiler setup then qualifying for time and temperature zone control (TTZC) could be one cheap way, via some very specific models of smart TRVs. Something useful to know is that EPC ratings are calculated to 4 decimal places before being rounded to the nearest integer. Some improvement measures may not flip the points up to the next integer on their own, but could be combined with other measures to do so. If your assessor is any good they’ll be able to model various measures and list the fractional points improvements with each, and suggest reasonable combinations of measures to get you to your target. Hope some of that helps.
Air pressure test results can now be entered in EPC assessments of existing dwellings. This ability became available on 15th June 2025 when the methodology was updated to RdSAP 10.
My understanding is that an EPC C achieved under the current system will not achieve a C under the new scoring system.
An EER of C (or better) under the current methodology in England & Wales will be deemed to meet the required standard of the proposed new MEES regulations from 2030 until that EPC expires. At that point a new EPC under the proposed new HEM methodology will need to be conducted and efforts made to ensure a C is attained in the Building Fabric metric and a C in either the Heating System metric or the Smart Readiness metric. Some properties will be fine, others won’t and will need additional work, or qualify for specific exemptions. It depends on the particular property characteristics, and the band thresholds of the new metrics, which haven’t yet been published following the HEM:EPC consultation which ended on the 18th March 2026. Fingers crossed we’ll get some details of those later this year which will help landlords make more informed decisions.
Possibly -depends on house. I have flats in such properties without wall insulation that are epc c.
Depends on also eg roof insulation, having double glazing, a modern heating system etc
Best
Darren avoid solar panels, messing with roof, weight, cost, damage etc
Doing internal insulation works very well. Ensure walls ok first then put polystryene backed plasterboard over. You will need to bring rads out, new skirting, replaster and maybe move sockets position a little depending on how wired, you will understand when you do it.
Gives a big boost to epc and a real long term benefit if you have solid 9” walls
It’s going to be a nightmare with tenants living in the houses front and back rooms and gable end. EPC guy told me need to do kitchen and bathroom if I did the kitchen on a small terrace wouidn’t be able to fit a washing machine in there, what’s the overall thickness you used? I’m hoping a better option will be available after they change the EPC system which was meant to be this October but it’s changed to September onwards next year.
Well there are some washing mashines which have less width or less depth than standard
New system will have basically the same on fabric and different on heating systems and not changing as early as you think
See this
You can get tenants to refuse to have the work done as an exemption then only becomes due when they leave but that means (after sep 29) using new method
Also wall insulation exemption if only thing left to do
Also freeholder can refuse exemption (for anything like a heat pump you need a hole to outside so part of structure)
And 10k limit
If you have to take kitchen and bathroom out, remove tiling, do internal wall insulation and adjust/put back and re-tile it might well be that with other measures to be more than 10k so you can get quotes and if above the 10k hopefully the exemption can be used
Good luck
Thanks for your reply. Yes I’m aware it’s 2030 I mean the new system is being launched next year instead of this year not so i was hoping to know and plan now. What will change heating wise is combi boilers still be okey?
I will read the link you sent me thanks for that.
Good to know good to know get smaller depth washing machines. Wouldn’t be too bad if con just insulate the other rooms and not the bathroom and kitchen because no one lives in them anyway hope that might boost the score still enough.
Thanks again
Thanks for sending that very helpful, seems like better get them to C ratings before October 2029 for extra ten years.
What do you thinks best to do if you need a new boiler between now and 2030 get heat pump if possible or boiler? i expect a new boiler to last 10 plus years.
Depends on each property
If you can get the boiler upgrade 7.5k to contribute to the heat pump and its well insulated or you are doing that as well, heat pump will future proof it. May need bigger rads and smart controls and tenants who can cope witt new tech. - they are lower heat for longer as i understand it so a different way of keeping a house warm
If you might sell up a place by 2039 new gas boilers may be better
Money might be better spent on eg loft insulation and solar panels - cant tell without proper assessment.
Also depends if renting including energy bills or not..
Best
7.5k boiler to contribute to the heat pump sorry I’m confused I thought the heating source is either a normal gas combi boiler or heat pump?
I guess Id like to keep properties after 2039.
I think Iv done what I can to them low cost wise they are D the semi is 64 has 300ml+ loft insulation, LED bulbs, combi, programmer, TRV’s just solid walls the mid terraced and semi detached.
I had assessment done couple weeks ago on the semi and three years ago but the recent one I had Radbot TRV’s new double glazed windows both never gained a point and its come one point less because Iv had an electric shower even though Iv had it for 8 years I guess it was missed first time because Iv also got a combi shower.
Thanks