EPC Reform & the Future of EPCs: Insights from the 2025 Consultation
The landscape for Energy Performance Certificates is poised for significant change. In 2025, the UK Government and the Scottish Parliament have both advanced consultation and reform proposals that could reshape how EPCs operate, how assessors work, and how properties are evaluated. This article sketches the current proposals, what’s happening in Scotland, and what the future of EPC reform may look like for Domestic Energy Assessors.
UK Consultation: Reforms to the EPC Regime
In December 2024, the UK Government launched its consultation on “Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime,” signalling changes to metrics, reporting standards, and how EPCs support policy and regulation. One key proposal is introducing a new methodology known as the Home Energy Model (HEM), to replace SAP/RdSAP metrics in the second half of 2026. The aim is for EPCs to become more transparent, consistent, and useful for homeowners, lenders, and energy policymakers.
Another linked consultation, “Improving the Energy Performance of Privately Rented Homes,” proposes raising the minimum standard for rental homes to roughly EPC C by 2030. These reforms are likely to work in tandem, meaning that EPC reform will not be a standalone change but part of a broader MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard) update.
Scottish Progress: EPC Reform in Scotland
Scotland is moving ahead with its own EPC reforms. In 2025, the Scottish Government responded to its 2023 consultation and set out plans for new EPC regulations, to take effect in 2026. Key changes include adopting a multi-metric rating system (including heating, energy use, and cost), reducing certificate validity periods (from 10 years to 5 years), a redesigned digital EPC platform, and tightening quality assurance for assessors.
These reforms offer a preview of what might be in store across the rest of the UK. For example, the shift to multiple metrics and shorter validity periods is already being debated in the UK consultation.
What the Reforms Mean for DEAs
For Domestic Energy Assessors, these reforms could bring big changes:
- New assessment methods: Transitioning to HEM means learning new software and recalibrating data collection practices.`
- More metrics, more data: Instead of a single rating, you may need to report heating system efficiency, energy demand, cost metrics and carbon metrics.
- Shorter EPC validity: If EPCs become valid for five years, you’ll likely see more reassessments and more frequent work.
- Quality assurance & training: The reforms propose stronger accreditation oversight, more rigorous scheme rules, and higher standards for assessors.
These shifts mean DEAs will need to stay adaptive, upskill in new models, and ensure their software and processes are future-proofed.
Speculating on the UK Government’s Response
Based on current drafts and comparative reforms in Scotland, here’s informed speculation on how the UK response might shape up:
- The UK may adopt a multi-metric EPC, aligning with Scotland’s approach, though perhaps more gradually.
- They may retain the headline energy efficiency rating initially, while supplementing with carbon and cost metrics as secondary scores.
- EPC validity could be shortened, though not immediately — perhaps applying the 5-year term only to new EPCs or certain property types.
- Transitional rules may allow existing EPCs to remain valid under legacy metrics until expiry.
Steps DEAs Can Take Now
To stay ahead of change, DEAs should:
- Review and familiarise themselves with Scottish reforms — they may port lessons.
- Stay connected with accreditation bodies and industry associations to catch training opportunities.
- Check whether your EPC software provider supports planned HEM-based changes.
- Participate in responses to the consultations — your voice as a practitioner is valuable.
- Plan for a phased transition in your workflow, data collection, and quality control.
Conclusion
The future of EPC reform 2025 is not distant, major structural changes are being poised for implementation from 2026. As DEAs, your role will remain at the heart of how energy performance is assessed, but you’ll need to adapt. Scotland’s reforms provide a useful blueprint for what may happen. Now the rest of the UK is watching and responding. To stay ready, keep abreast of the consultation feedback and support your development through mentoring and training.
To discuss how the upcoming reforms could affect your work and what you can do to prepare get in touch.
