When homeowners think about boosting their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) score, it’s common to focus on high-profile improvements such as insulation, heating systems, or double glazing. A frequently asked question is: “Do energy-efficient appliances—like fridges, washing machines, or ovens—really make a difference to my EPC?”
The short answer: not as much as you might think. Understanding how EPCs are calculated helps homeowners make cost-effective decisions that actually impact their rating. Our experienced EPC Assessors in London regularly advise clients on which upgrades deliver real points versus perceived improvements:
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1. How EPC Ratings Are Calculated
EPCs assess a home’s overall energy efficiency, taking into account:
Building fabric: walls, floors, roofs, insulation
Windows and doors: glazing type and draught-proofing
Heating systems: boilers, heat pumps, radiators
Heating controls: thermostats, TRVs, zoning
Renewable energy: solar panels, heat pumps
Lighting: fixed energy-efficient lighting
Appliances like fridges, ovens, or dishwashers have minimal impact on these calculations. EPCs assume standard appliance efficiency, rather than the exact make or model you own.
2. Why Appliances Don’t Significantly Affect EPC Scores
Several reasons explain why energy-efficient appliances rarely change EPC ratings:
Default assumptions: EPC software assumes standard energy usage for cooking, refrigeration, and laundry.
Fixed weighting: Space heating, insulation, and hot water dominate EPC scoring, while appliances are a small percentage.
Scope limitations: Only permanently installed items, like fixed lighting, can influence scores. Portable or replaceable appliances are generally excluded.
In other words, upgrading to a premium A+++ fridge may reduce your electricity bill, but it won’t meaningfully move your EPC band.
3. Lighting Is the Exception
Lighting is one area where energy-efficient upgrades do impact EPC ratings.
Fixed lighting in kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas is included in EPC calculations.
Replacing all incandescent or halogen bulbs with LED lighting can add points and sometimes push a property into a higher band.
Even external fixed lighting must be energy-efficient to be credited.
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4. Where Appliances Can Help Indirectly
While individual appliances have minimal impact on EPC, they can support overall energy efficiency in ways that are appreciated by buyers or tenants:
Reduced energy consumption: Lower utility bills make the property more attractive.
Integration with smart heating or energy monitoring systems: Some smart appliances can contribute to whole-home energy efficiency, indirectly improving performance.
Compliance with green building standards: Energy-efficient appliances complement insulation, heating, and lighting improvements, creating a stronger narrative for buyers.
5. Focus on High-Impact EPC Improvements
Homeowners often make the mistake of prioritising appliances over upgrades that truly affect EPC:
High-Impact Areas
Insulation – lofts, walls, floors, pipes
Heating systems – efficient boilers, heat pumps, hot water systems
Heating controls – thermostats, TRVs, zoning
Windows and draught-proofing
Fixed lighting upgrades
Renewable energy installations – solar PV, solar hot water, heat pumps
Targeting these areas first provides maximum EPC points for your investment.
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6. Appliances Are Better for Energy Bills than EPC Ratings
Upgrading appliances is still worthwhile—it reduces household energy bills and environmental impact—but homeowners should understand the difference:
| Impact | EPC Score | Energy Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Energy-efficient boiler | High | High |
| Loft & cavity insulation | High | Medium |
| LED lighting | Medium | Low |
| New appliances (fridge/oven) | Minimal | Medium/High |
This shows why focusing on building fabric and heating is more effective for EPC improvement than replacing appliances.
7. Practical Steps for Homeowners
If your goal is to increase your EPC score, take these steps:
Review your current EPC report and identify the lowest-performing areas.
Prioritise insulation, heating systems, heating controls, and fixed lighting.
Install energy-efficient appliances for utility savings, not EPC points.
Gather documentation of all improvements before the assessment.
Schedule an EPC assessment once all high-impact upgrades are complete.
Conclusion
Energy-efficient appliances are great for reducing energy bills and environmental impact, but they don’t significantly affect your EPC rating. EPCs focus on the building’s efficiency, heating system, and controls, with only minor credit for lighting.
Homeowners aiming for a better EPC score should invest in high-impact building improvements first and consider appliances as a complementary measure.
By understanding this distinction, you can plan your EPC improvements strategically, avoid wasted investment, and achieve maximum rating gains.
Email :info@epcrate.co.uk
Phone:020 34884142
