Is Your Home Not Making The Grade? From D to C: The Smartest Upgrades for Your EPC
If your home is sitting at a D, you’re not alone — most of London’s housing stock is in the same boat. The good news? Moving from a D to a C on your EPC is one of the smartest steps you can take for comfort, value, and future-proofing.
Let’s skip the jargon and look at what actually works.
Why a C Matters
Value uplift: Even modest EPC upgrades (D → C) can add ~3% to a home’s value, while improving from F/G to C can deliver uplifts of nearly 20% (Nationwide, 2022; Knight Frank, 2022).
Tenant appeal: Over 70% of renters say energy efficiency is a key factor when choosing, and efficient homes can command up to 10% higher rents (The Certificate Lab, 2024; Knight Frank, 2025).
Mortgageability: Buyers and lenders are already scrutinising EPC ratings. A “C” makes financing easier — and future resale smoother.
Comfort: Think fewer draughts, better air quality, proper ventilation, no mould and energy bills that shouldn’t make you wince.
The Smartest Upgrades
1. Insulation: The Essential Layer
Loft insulation: low cost, high impact.
Cavity or internal wall insulation: transforms thermal performance.
For period homes, breathable materials keep character intact.
2. Windows & Glazing: Silent Performers
Double or triple glazing keeps warmth in and noise out.
Secondary glazing works wonders in listed buildings.
3. Heating: Retiring the Dinosaur Boiler
Old boiler? Swap for a modern condensing unit or heat pump.
You can now add app “smart” controls if you like that sort of thing.
4. Ventilation: Fresh Air Without the Chill
MVHR (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery) maintains healthy air and captures heat you’d otherwise lose.
5. Small But Mighty: LEDs + Smart Tech
LED lighting, new thermostats, zoning — incremental upgrades that add up.
6. Renewables: Solar & More
Solar PV or solar thermal panels can push you from D to C and beyond.
Heat pumps, when paired with good insulation, are game-changers.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Single fixes: Rarely enough on their own. The magic is in combinations.
Ignoring heritage: Listed buildings can be upgraded sensitively — with the right people (like us!) helping to guide you, discreet systems, finishes and mechanics can honour period details and craftsmanship yet bring everything up to what today’s modern living standard should be.
Overcapitalising: Not every home needs everything at once. A sequencing plan prevents wasted time and monetary spend.
How We Help
Well through our tiered offerings of course! At Alchemi Renovations, we’ve distilled decades of meticulous restoration and renovation building and design experience into a clear, tiered approach:
Bronze — EHIP: EPC uplift forecasts, thermal imaging, priorities + grants.
Silver — WHIP: Whole-home retrofit plan, phasing, finishes, ROI clarity.
Gold: Expert consultancy + oversight — planning, budgeting, sequencing.
Platinum: Turnkey delivery, fully managed with architecture, interiors, and décor.
Whether you want a DIY-ready roadmap or a hands-off transformation, we make upgrades market-ready, design-led, and resilient.
The Bigger Picture
Getting from D to C isn’t just a technical exercise. It’s a statement: your home is ready for the future.
It translates to:
Long-term asset value protected.
Higher-quality tenants and smoother sales.
Comfort and performance built in — not bolted on.
And the earlier you act, the more options you have before demand spikes.
So, is your home still at a D student? Maybe it’s time to give it the grade it deserves.