Many homeowners feel frustrated when their EPC rating doesn’t reflect how efficiently their home actually performs. You may have low bills, a warm home, and modern upgrades—yet still receive a disappointing EPC score.
This mismatch is known as the EPC Gap, and it affects thousands of properties across the UK.
If you’ve noticed this gap, speaking with experienced EPC Assessors in London can help clarify what went wrong:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/services-epc-assessors-london/
Here’s why your home may perform better in reality than your EPC certificate suggests.
1. EPC Uses Standardised Assumptions—Not Real-Life Usage
EPC calculations rely on a fixed set of assumptions about:
Heating schedules
Occupancy patterns
Hot water usage
Typical energy behaviour
This means that even if you use your heating efficiently, or rarely turn on energy-heavy appliances, the EPC cannot reflect these real-life habits.
If your EPC seems inaccurate, you can request a reassessment here:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/booking/
2. Missing Documentation Can Lower Your Score
Even if you have high-performance insulation, upgraded glazing, or an efficient boiler, EPC assessors cannot include them unless you provide the correct proof.
Missing paperwork often leads to default “worst-case scenario” values.
Examples of missing evidence:
Insulation certificates
Window U-value documentation
Heating system efficiency certificates
Solar panel performance specs
To avoid this gap, learn how our assessors validate documents here:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/about-us-epc-company-london/
3. SAP Calculations Prioritise Theoretical Efficiency Over Practical Use
The EPC uses SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure), which measures potential efficiency, not actual efficiency.
This can cause gaps when your home performs differently than predicted, especially in:
Well-insulated older homes
Properties with high thermal mass
Homes with low heating demand
Houses using smart thermostats or zoned heating
Practical efficiency simply isn’t fully measured in EPC methodology.
4. Newer Smart Technologies Aren’t Fully Recognised
Technology like:
Smart thermostats
Zoned heating controls
Learning systems (Nest, Hive, Tado)
Solar battery storage
…improves real-life energy use dramatically.
But the EPC algorithm often awards minimal or no credit for these features.
For guidance on what upgrades will boost your EPC score, you can check our pricing and service information:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/pricing/
5. EPC Doesn’t Consider Actual Energy Bills
Even if you pay significantly less for heating and electricity compared to similar homes, EPC assessors cannot use utility bills in the calculation.
This is one of the biggest reasons homeowners feel the EPC rating does not reflect reality.
6. The EPC May Have Been Incorrectly Assessed
Human error is still common, especially with:
Incorrect room measurements
Wrong heating system entries
Missed insulation areas
Poor data entry
Misidentified property age or construction type
A small mistake can change the EPC band entirely.
If you suspect errors, our assessors can review and correct the report:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/services-epc-assessors-london/
How to Fix the EPC Gap
If your home performs better than your EPC suggests, you have two options:
✔ Get a Replacement EPC
A fresh assessment often corrects missing or incorrect details.
Book instantly:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/booking/
✔ Improve Data Quality Before the Assessment
Provide documentation for:
Insulation
Double/triple glazing
Boiler efficiency
Renewable systems
If you have questions, our team can help:
👉 https://epcrate.co.uk/contact-us-epc-services-london/
Final Thoughts
The EPC system isn’t perfect—and many efficient homes receive scores that undersell their true performance.
Understanding the EPC gap helps you take control, ensure your property is represented accurately, and potentially increase your home’s value and market appeal.
Email :info@epcrate.co.uk
Phone:020 34884142
