As solar panels become more common across UK rooftops, many homeowners are now adding battery storage systems to maximise energy use and savings. But the key question remains: do batteries improve your EPC rating?

⚡ What EPCs Measure—And What They Don’t

EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) are generated using the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) for residential buildings. SAP focuses primarily on:

  • Building fabric efficiency

  • Heating and hot water systems

  • Renewable energy generation

  • Lighting types and controls

🔍 Battery storage, surprisingly, is not directly rewarded in the SAP methodology unless it affects usable energy or export levels.

⚙️ Where Battery Storage Can Indirectly Help

While SAP doesn’t assign a score bump for batteries alone, they can indirectly support a better EPC when:

  • Paired with solar PV, which is credited

  • Combined with smart controls that reduce reliance on peak-grid electricity

  • Used in time-of-use tariffs to lower average carbon intensity

💡 If your battery system enables more efficient use of generated energy, especially during winter or evening demand, you may notice minor gains in overall SAP output calculations—but not a dramatic band change.

🏘️ So Why Install One?

Though the EPC may not show a huge leap, battery storage still offers:

  • Lower electricity bills

  • Increased energy independence

  • Compatibility with future EPC updates (SAP 11 may include battery weighting)

  • Improved marketability in eco-conscious buyer segments

📋 Should You Mention Battery Storage to an EPC Assessor?

Yes—always. Even if the gain is marginal, assessors may include:

  • The solar system’s export-control integration

  • How the system reduces dependency on the grid

  • Any manufacturer certifications (MCS/Smart Export Guarantee)

📞 Tell your assessor about your energy system during booking.

Final Verdict

Battery systems alone won’t guarantee an EPC band jump, but when bundled with solar panels, smart meters, and insulation, they contribute to a much greener, more self-sufficient home.

👉 Contact EPCrate to see how your renewable setup may be reflected in your next EPC.