Historic homes to get costly EPC reprieve, but will yours make the cut?

Owners of historic homes could soon get a reprieve from expensive energy efficiency upgrades, as Labour considers exemptions for listed properties.

Under the Government’s push for net zero, all homes must achieve a C-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by 2030, a costly challenge for many homeowners.

But now, amid growing concerns about the complexity and expense of upgrading historic buildings, Labour is exploring the possibility of easing the burden for those living in the UK’s most iconic homes.

Labour set to exempt listed homes from EPC rules

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has come under pressure to soften EPC demands for listed buildings and heritage properties, which are notoriously hard, and costly, to retrofit.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero confirmed that exemptions are on the table for buildings where green upgrades would “unacceptably alter” the structure’s historic character.

Landlords of such homes have argued that installing heat pumps, solar panels, or external insulation could not only be financially ruinous, but also violate strict planning and preservation laws.

A peer in the House of Lords warned that the cost burden could make investing in older rental properties “no longer viable.” In some regions, average upgrade costs top £30,000, according to government data.

For everyone else, the countdown to compliance is on

While heritage homeowners may get some breathing room, millions of properties across the UK are nowhere near ready for the 2030 EPC deadline, which could see homeowners face a fine of £5,000.

According to new research from Eurocell, more than 12.7 million homes in England alone are rated at EPC D or below - meaning a massive national retrofit effort is needed. That’s the equivalent of one home every minute needing upgrades between now and 2050.

The worst-offending areas include Birmingham, Leeds, and Cornwall, where the housing stock is older and less efficient. In order to meet the new EPC standards by 2030 homeowners will need to:

• Install triple glazing
• Replace gas boilers with low-carbon heat pumps
• Add insulation and solar panels
• Upgrade lighting and appliances

What this means for you

If your home isn’t listed – and more than 90% aren't – then you’re likely on the hook to improve your EPC score in the coming years.

Failing to meet the target could mean difficulty selling, renting, or mortgaging your property in future. And while there may be grants or incentives to ease the burden, details remain thin.

Homeowners are being urged to check their EPC rating now and explore affordable upgrade options before the clock runs out. Because when the deadline hits, the cost of being left behind could be even higher.