The EPC ratings explained: from F to A
How energy-efficient is your home? You can find this information on your energy performance certificate. The EPC – and rating A to F in particular – is becoming increasingly important, not only because the certificate is legally required when selling your home but also because it allows you to make smarter investments in your home.
Other benefits of a high EPC rating are reduced energy costs, increased property value and, in some cases, you may also qualify for grants or subsidies. And the good news is: you can improve your rating one step at a time.
Before you start planning your home improvements, you first need to understand what each EPC rating means.
The EPC ratings explained
An EPC rating tells you how energy-efficient your home is. Your home is assigned a score expressed in kWh per square metre per year (kWh/m2 per year). The lower your score, the higher your rating, the less energy your home uses.
| Rating | Score | Energy efficiency |
| A+ | ≤ 0 | Your home uses very little energy or is energy-neutral. |
| A | 0 - 100 | Your home is very energy-efficient. |
| B | 101 - 200 | Your home is energy-efficient. |
| C | 201 - 300 | Your home’s energy consumption is average. |
| D | 301 - 400 | Your home’s energy consumption is moderate. |
| E | 401 - 500 | Your home is energy-intensive and renovation is required. |
| F | > 500 | Your home is very energy-intensive. A renovation obligation applies for the purchase of this home. |
An A+ rating: congratulations, that’s the highest possible rating!
A home with an A+ rating is very energy-efficient or even generates more energy than it needs. Possible contributing factors:
- High-grade insulation
- Renewable energy (for example, solar panels or heat pumps)
- Smart ventilation system with heat recovery
As an added bonus, this rating allows you to drastically cut your energy bills, boost your property’s value and might even qualify you for a grant.
F rating: room for improvement!
A home with an F rating has a very high energy-consumption level. This rating is often assigned to older houses with poor insulation, single glazing and outdated heating systems.
If you’re looking to buy an F-rated property, you are legally required to renovate it to bring the rating to at least D within six years. After all, a higher rating means lower energy costs and a more marketable property.
Tip: your home’s EPC rating is stated on your energy performance certificate. If you don’t have one yet, you can request your energy performance certificate online from our partner De Immowinkel in KBC Mobile. You will first get an estimate of the cost of your energy performance certificate before requesting it.
How is your EPC score determined?
Determining your EPC score involves a detailed process that factors in a number of objective features of your home. The better your home scores in these areas, the lower your energy consumption and the higher your rating.
Insulation
To create an energy-efficient home, proper insulation – for instance, roof, wall and floor insulation and double glazing – is imperative. The more heat you keep inside, the less needs to be generated.
Glazing and windows
Single-glazed windows and outdated window frames let a lot of heat out. It’s best to replace these with high-efficiency glazing or triple glazing – this can make a substantial difference in your EPC score.
Heating
Old central heating boilers will get you a worse score than modern condensing boilers and heat pumps. The way you heat your home, for instance by using a heating timer, also matters.
Ventilation systems
A high-quality ventilation system provides clean, fresh air without unnecessary heat loss. You can have windows fitted with a ventilation grid or install a wall-mounted ventilation system.
Renewable energy
Solar panels, a home battery, solar-powered boilers or a heat pump lead to lower energy consumption and have a substantial impact on your EPC score.
If you’d like to know your home’s score, you can request your energy performance certificate online from our partner De Immowinkel in KBC Mobile. You will first get an estimate of the cost of your energy performance certificate before requesting it.
What legal obligations apply?
Besides giving you a clear view of your home’s energy efficiency, in some cases an EPC rating is legally required:
Selling or renting out your home
You are required to present a valid energy performance certificate if you want to sell or rent out your home. You are not permitted to market your home without it.
Renovation obligation for ratings E and F
If you buy a home with EPC rating E or F, you are required to renovate it to bring the rating to D within six years. This measure was introduced in 2025 and is intended to ensure that energy-wasting homes are improved to a minimum standard as quickly as possible.
Target for 2050: at least rating A for every home
The Flemish government’s ambition is for every home to achieve at least EPC rating A by 2050. This means that the renovation obligation will eventually extend to homes with a C or D rating. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to perform the necessary renovations and spread the associated costs.
Keep your eye on the ball with KBC
Housing, work, life: they all bring challenges. At KBC, we like to keep you up to date with the latest developments in housing, energy, sustainability and mobility. Read more about the relaxed renovation obligation, learn about more sustainable insulation materials or get house-hunting tips from an estate agent. If you want to invest in energy-saving renovations, find out how much an energy loan will cost you. Curious about how much you could save with solar panels? Work it out in just a couple of clicks.
Legal information
The KBC Energy Loan is an instalment loan. Lender: KBC Bank NV – Havenlaan 2 – 1080 Brussels – VAT BE 0462.920.226 – RLP Brussels Subject to your loan application being approved by KBC Bank NV and mutual agreement.