Six energy upgrades that could boost your home’s value by thousands (aff)

Energy efficiency is now one of the biggest drivers of property value in the UK, with buyers placing increasing importance on running costs, sustainability and EPC ratings when choosing their next home.

Homes with higher Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings can command significantly higher prices, with some estimates suggesting properties rated A–C can be worth up to 14% more than less efficient homes. With energy bills still front of mind for many households in 2026, demand for energy-efficient homes continues to grow.

For homeowners preparing to sell, improving your EPC rating is one of the most effective ways to increase property value. Even moving from an EPC rating of D to C can add around 3% to a home’s value, making targeted upgrades a smart pre-sale investment.

The challenge is knowing which energy upgrades deliver the best return. Here, Tom Evans, Sales Director at Purplebricks Estate Agency, outlines six improvements that can boost your home’s EPC rating and increase its market value without unnecessary overspend.

The key is knowing which upgrades deliver real value and which ones offer little return.

Here, Tom Evans, Sales Director at Purplebricks Estate Agency, shares his expert insights on the improvements most likely to boost your home’s energy efficiency, and its value, without requiring a huge budget.

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1. Insulation upgrades

Tom said: “Upgrading a property’s insulation is likely to be the best value improvement you can make to it.

“Look carefully at the insulation in the loft, the cavity walls, the internal and external walls and the floor. How well insulated are they?

“Improving insulation on any of these areas will quickly improve its EPC rating.

“As soon as the work is carried out, heating bills will reduce - providing a tangible and immediately beneficial fix to any energy efficiency issues.

“In terms of costs - you could spend anything from £600 to £2,500 on the work, which would start paying off by saving £200 to £450 annually on savings on heating bills.

“In extreme cases when moving from poor ratings (F/G) to C you can actually add up to 15% to property value, it can really be that simple.

“In my mind this is the best energy efficiency upgrade you can do for older homes, built pre 2000.”

2. Solar panel installation

Tom said: “Solar panels or photovoltaics (PV) have become one of the most desirable energy upgrades.

“They not only lower electricity bills, but also offer protection against energy price spikes, which have become more frequent and increasingly severe in recent years.

“For an initial spend of £5,000 to £7,000 to install the panels, you are looking at a saving of around £440 to £700 per year, meaning you will have paid it back within eight to 10 years, in the money you have saved in energy bills.

“Homes with solar panels are increasingly becoming easier to sell because buyers value long-term running cost savings.”

3. Air-source heat pumps

Tom said: “Heat pumps are heavily incentivised in the UK, with the government helping to cover the installation costs.

“They are not the cheapest fix in making your home energy efficient, costing between £7,000 to £13,000, but the savings you will make once installed are pretty impressive. becoming standard in modern homes.

“On average a property using a heat pump will save between £400 to £1,000 per year, meaning you’ll have paid back installation costs within eight to twelve years.

“Its no wonder that heat pumps are increasingly becoming standard in modern homes.

“Installing one of these automatically means your property will receive a higher EPC rating, plus you will benefit from the low-carbon heating (future regulation compliance)and reduced heating bills.”

4. Double or triple-glazed windows

Tom said: “Modern glazing significantly improves the thermal efficiency of any property.

“Impressively, it can reduce up to 50 per cent of heat loss through windows.

“And alongside this, double or triple-glazed windows will provide better sound insulation.

“Costing between £4000 to £8000, your buyer will likely appreciate their modern look, adding to the overall kerb appeal of the property.”

5. Smart heating systems

Tom said: “Making a few tweaks to your heating system, which are generally cheap to upgrade, will have a surprisingly strong financial return for you.

“Smart thermostats, smart radiator valves and zoned heating systems can save between 10 to 23% on your heating bills, but cost just £100 to £400 to install.

“To me, these kinds of upgrades are a no-brainer, and in fact we find buyers increasingly expect them in modern homes.”

6. LED lighting and efficient appliances

Tom said: “Many properties already have LED throughout, but for those that don’t, this small upgrade will cost very little, and will positively impact your EPC rating.

“LEDs use 75 to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs. Installing them throughout your property will save on your electricity bills, plus boost your EPC rating, potentially raising the property value as a result.

“Roughly three in 10 (29%) of buyers say EPC rating is a key factor when purchasing . It certainly pays to explore options available for an EPC upgrade, prioritising those that will raise the EPC ratings most, but this does not always mean the most expensive renovations are the most impactful.”