Published 1 May 2026 by Matt Fay
Most homes I assess across Greater Manchester score a D or an E. That's not unusual and it's nothing to worry about in itself. But if you're selling, renting out a property, or just want to bring your energy bills down, there are practical things you can do to push that rating up. With a few targeted improvements, many properties can reach a C.
Here's what I see making the biggest difference, based on thousands of assessments across Bury, Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester.
This is the easiest and usually the cheapest win. Most pre-1990 homes I visit either have no loft insulation at all or have an inadequate thickness that was installed years ago and has since been compressed or disturbed. The current recommendation is 270mm. If you've got 100mm or less up there, topping it up is straightforward and relatively inexpensive.
Cost is typically around 300 to 500 pounds for a standard home. In terms of EPC impact, it can improve your rating by 5 to 10 SAP points. For a lot of properties sitting on the border between bands, that's enough to tip you into the next one up.
Old back boilers and G-rated boilers drag EPC ratings down significantly. If your property still has a boiler from the 1990s or earlier, it's almost certainly pulling your rating down by a full band or more. A modern condensing combi boiler is the single biggest improvement for most properties I assess.
It's not a small expense, but the impact on the EPC is substantial. I regularly see properties jump from an E to a D, or a D to a C, just from the boiler upgrade alone. If you're a landlord looking to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, this is often where you'll get the most return.
If your property has cavity walls, and most post-1920s semis and terraces do, filling them is relatively quick and straightforward. I check for this during every assessment. You can usually tell from the outside by looking at the brick pattern, but I'll confirm it during the visit.
Cost is typically 500 to 800 pounds. Many properties I assess across Bury and Bolton have unfilled cavities, even ones built in the 1960s and 70s when cavity construction was standard. It's one of those improvements that pays for itself through lower heating bills as well as improving the EPC.
Double glazing helps your EPC rating, but it's expensive relative to the impact. If you already have double glazing, you're already getting the benefit. If you've still got single glazing, upgrading will help but it won't transform your rating on its own.
What often gets overlooked is basic draught-proofing. Sealing gaps around doors, windows, letterboxes and loft hatches is cheap and still contributes to the EPC calculation. It won't move you up a full band, but combined with other improvements it all adds up.
This one catches a lot of people out. The EPC assessment looks at whether you have a room thermostat, a programmer, and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). All three are basic requirements for a decent rating. Many older properties across Greater Manchester still don't have all three fitted, especially the TRVs.
The fix is easy and relatively low cost. A plumber can fit TRVs and a room thermostat in a morning. If your boiler has a timer but no separate programmer or room stat, that's dragging your rating down too. Simple fix, noticeable improvement.
Replacing all your bulbs with LEDs is one of the cheapest things you can do. It won't transform your rating on its own, but it does contribute to the SAP calculation. If you've still got halogen downlights or old incandescent bulbs, swapping them out is quick, cheap, and worth doing. Every little helps when you're trying to push into the next band.
If you're not sure where to start, the best thing to do is get your EPC done first. During the assessment, I can tell you exactly what's affecting your rating and which improvements would give you the biggest return. Every property is different, so generic advice only goes so far.
If you'd like to book an assessment, I cover the whole of Greater Manchester and I can usually visit within a couple of days. I'm always happy to talk through your options during the visit. You can also take a look at the full range of services I offer or give me a call on 07718 285708.
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