Improving the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a flat or period home presents unique hurdles. Unlike detached houses with loft space and cavity walls, older properties—especially flats—come with limitations that can’t be easily overcome.
Most period homes were built before the introduction of thermal standards, often featuring solid walls, single-glazed sash windows, and no insulation in floors or ceilings. Flats, particularly those in tenement blocks or converted Victorian homes, share heating losses through adjoining walls and have restricted access to the building envelope. This makes upgrades more complex—and often more constrained by legal, structural, or financial barriers.
EPCs in these properties tend to hover around bands D or E, which fall short of the government’s future target for Band C compliance by 2028 for rental properties. But despite these obstacles, there are effective—and realistic—upgrades available.
When planning EPC improvements, it's important to separate the theoretical from the practical. Many EPC reports suggest upgrades that simply aren’t viable for period or multi-unit dwellings:
For these reasons, owners and landlords of older flats must focus on internal-only and reversible improvements that don’t require building-wide changes or planning permission.
Despite restrictions, there are a number of powerful EPC-friendly improvements that can be made inside the home:
Single-glazed windows are among the worst culprits for heat loss and draughts. But replacing them is often not permitted in listed buildings or tenements. Secondary glazing—particularly high-performance systems like AirShield Glazing Panels—adds an insulating layer without altering the original frame.
Benefits include:
AirShield Glazing Panels are especially well-suited to sash windows found in Georgian and Victorian flats, offering custom-fit insulation with tool-free installation.
One of the simplest upgrades, switching halogen or incandescent bulbs to LEDs can improve lighting efficiency by 70–80%. EPC assessments measure lighting energy load, and replacing every bulb in the property can add measurable points.
For ground-floor flats or upper floors with suspended timber flooring, adding underfloor insulation can reduce heat loss and increase comfort. This is a common recommendation for EPC improvement and can be done without major disruption.
Even if a new boiler isn't possible, improving how existing heating is managed matters. Installing smart thermostats or TRVs to control room-by-room heating can enhance energy efficiency—helping to regulate heat use and improve EPC scores.
When dealing with a listed or heritage flat, realistic EPC planning involves identifying changes that deliver maximum return with minimal disruption. For most older homes, that means prioritising internal insulation measures and smart energy tweaks that don’t affect the structure or appearance of the property.
This can include secondary glazing, such as AirShield Glazing Panels, which insulate without altering the window frame, and switching to LED lighting, which reduces energy usage without rewiring. These steps won’t push a Band E property into Band A, but they can reliably lift it to Band D or C when layered together.
Rather than chasing an ideal but impractical retrofit, many owners and landlords are now focusing on what’s feasible inside their property’s limits—emphasising changes that EPC inspectors can measure and credit, without engaging in time-consuming renovation projects.
Period flats are often located in conservation areas or within listed buildings. This restricts what can be changed on the building’s exterior. However, internal retrofits—especially when they’re non-invasive—typically require no planning approval.
This makes secondary glazing a standout solution:
AirShield Glazing Panels fit snugly inside existing frames, avoiding any damage to original woodwork or glazing. Their acrylic clarity maintains the window’s visual appeal while upgrading its thermal performance.
Landlords with older rental stock face looming legal pressure to raise EPC scores. But retrofitting a tenement flat or Georgian maisonette is not straightforward. Many upgrades, such as new windows or external insulation, are costly, time-consuming, or outright impossible.
AirShield Glazing Panels are increasingly being adopted by landlords for several reasons:
Some landlords even start with a few key rooms—like living areas and bedrooms—to reduce heat demand and increase tenant satisfaction before scaling up across their portfolio.
Not every home needs an expensive heat pump or a complete window overhaul to meet EPC targets. For many older flats, these aren’t even possible. But that doesn’t mean the path to compliance is blocked.
Instead, the most sustainable solution often lies in layering simple, reversible upgrades that add up over time. Secondary glazing, smart lighting, floor insulation, and better heating controls can combine to lift your EPC rating by one full band.
AirShield Glazing Panels play a central role in this ecosystem: they offer thermal and acoustic improvement without the permanence or price tag of replacement windows.
If you own or rent a flat in an older building, improving your EPC score might seem like a costly and complex puzzle. But small, strategic upgrades—like adding AirShield Glazing Panels—can provide meaningful improvements without large-scale work or planning obstacles.
With deadlines for EPC compliance fast approaching, taking immediate action with non-invasive internal measures is both practical and necessary. Smart insulation solutions, efficient lighting, and thoughtful heating controls can cumulatively make a measurable difference—especially when structural upgrades aren’t an option.
Period properties can reach the required standard. With the right approach, you don’t have to compromise on heritage, comfort, or cost to meet tomorrow’s expectations today.
