A new assessment of the average cost to a UK property owner of improving their EPC rating suggests it’s soared to £13,981.87. 

And in London it’s even more – £14,589.80.

The data shows that the average UK home currently has an EPC rating of 66 points, or band D. 

With the right work carried out, this could be increased to 84 points, band B. 

The government has mandated that all homes should reach at least EPC band C by 2035 with different targets likely to be announced for private rental properties.

Not surprisingly, carbon emission scores are highest in Greater London. The current average rating is 62 points, where emissions are 4.07 CO2 for the average London property, but this could be reduced to 2.04 CO2 (80 points and band C) with the right works carried out.

Properties in Scotland were found to have the highest current EPC emissions with data from insurer Dashly showing this at 6.33 CO2 with the highest costs to improve this estimated at £18,046.35.

The lowest EPC emissions are found in the East Midlands and West Midlands where both regions show EPC ratings at 3.49 CO2. 

The lowest expenditure required to reach the 2035 guidelines is in the South West at £13,565.02.

The EPC survey highlights the key areas of the property that need including, for example, adding cavity wall insulation or getting a condensing boiler. The cost of each recommended improvement is an estimated cost taken from industry standard figures.

Dashly chief operating officer Martin Leonard says: “We all need to step up and do our bit for the environment, but making these adjustments to your home can be costly. 

“The mortgage industry needs to do its bit to ensure homeowners are aware of the existence and possibilities of green mortgages. Up until now, green mortgages have attracted very little attention, but cheaper borrowing rates in a difficult environment could help raise awareness of the benefits of energy efficient homes.

“EPC ratings have a role to play but the reality is that they mean very little to the average homeowner. People want to know how the rating impacts them in pounds and pence and what they can do about it.

“In the coming months, as the need to save costs becomes even greater, we expect to see an increase in green mortgage products and lenders must continue to innovate to respond to this increased demand. Lenders and brokers should be offering green mortgages as standard by now. Those that do will offer their customers, and the planet, better outcomes.”