Energy Performance Certificates: guide
Energy performance certificates (EPCs) explain how energy efficient a building is and how it could be improved.
About Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
An EPC provides information about how energy efficient a building is, and how the efficiency could be improved. Buildings are rated on a scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient. The EPC also provides:
- information on measures which could be made to improve the energy efficiency of the building
- an indicative cost for each improvement
The EPC is accompanied by a recommendations report which provides more detailed information about improvement measures.
New EPCs are being introduced from 31 October 2026. They will be clearer and better support Scotland’s energy efficiency and heating policies.
We will update this guide with more information on the transition to the new-style EPC. Until October 2026, the current Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008, still apply.
EPC reform
We consulted on EPC reform in 2023 which included proposals to:
- ensure that EPCs remain a key source of information about a building’s energy efficiency for current and prospective building owners and tenants
- expand the metrics shown on EPCs to give a more holistic picture of a building’s energy efficiency (including ratings to reflect the energy efficiency of the building fabric)
- rename the existing metrics so that their meaning is clear
- review audit and assurance arrangements to ensure that EPCs provide robust and reliable information
We published an updated consultation response in October 2025.
Contact
Email: EPCenquiries@gov.scot