Big Changes Coming to Scottish EPCs: What Property Owners Need to Know
Author
Kirsty Johansson
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The world of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is about to undergo its biggest shake-up in years. By late 2026, the Scottish Government will roll out sweeping reforms that will change how we assess and understand building energy efficiency. As chartered surveyors working across Scotland, we’ve taken a close look at what these changes mean for property owners and managers.
A Fresh Approach to Home Energy Ratings
Gone are the days of a single, catch-all energy rating. The new system will give us a much clearer picture of a property’s energy performance through three distinct measures:
- The Heat Retention Rating will take centre stage, giving us real insight into how well your building keeps warmth in. It’s a practical measure that looks at your walls, floors and roof – the parts of your home that make the biggest difference to heat loss.
- A new Heating System Rating will help you understand just how efficient your heating really is. It considers everything from running costs to emissions, giving you a fuller picture of your system’s performance.
- The familiar EPC rating isn’t going away, but it’s getting a more straightforward name: the Energy Cost Rating. This should make it crystal clear that this number is all about running costs.
Commercial Properties: Aligning with the Bigger Picture
For business properties, the changes are bringing Scottish assessments more in line with the rest of the UK – though with some important regional differences:
- We’re adopting the UK’s “reference model” approach, making it easier to compare buildings across different regions
- Heating systems will be put into clear categories: Polluting, Hybrid, Renewable, or Clean
- Scotland will use a 0-100+ rating scale, while the UK uses 0-150+ which may present challenges for cross-border property comparisons
What This Means for Your Property
These changes will have some practical implications that property owners should start thinking about now:
- Your EPC will need updating more frequently – every 5 years instead of 10
- A new digital format will make it easier to access your EPC information and consider potential improvement options
- Assessors will undergo more rigorous training, leading to more accurate assessments
The Challenges We’re Watching
While we welcome these changes, we’re keeping an eye on several potential hurdles:
- With Heat Retention becoming the headline figure, there’s some uncertainty about how this affects existing rules about sub-standard properties
- The different rating scales between Scotland and the rest of the UK might complicate things for cross-border property owners
- Given past experience with energy assessment updates, the 2026 timeline might slip
What Property Owners Should Do Now
As surveyors, we’re already seeing forward-thinking property owners taking steps to prepare:
- Getting familiar with their current EPC and understanding where improvements might be needed
- Planning renovation work with these new standards in mind
- Starting to think about heating system upgrades that align with the new categories
Looking to the Future
While 2026 might seem a way off, we’ve learned from experience that it’s never too early to start preparing for regulatory changes. These reforms represent a significant step forward in how we think about building energy efficiency in Scotland.
The changes should give everyone – from homeowners to property managers – a clearer picture of their building’s energy performance and, more importantly, how to improve it. As chartered surveyors, we’re already updating our knowledge and systems to ensure we can guide our clients through these changes effectively.
If you’re wondering what these changes mean for your property, or if you’d like to get ahead of the curve with an up-to-date EPC assessment, get in touch with our team. We’re here to help you navigate these changes and make informed decisions about your property’s energy future.
Whether you’re looking to understand the upcoming changes, need an EPC assessment, or want advice on improving your property’s energy efficiency, our experienced team of chartered surveyors is here to help.
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