Warm Homes Plan 2026: why EPCs and retrofit assessments matter more than ever
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan, released in January 2026, sets out a major national programme to cut energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and accelerate home upgrades across England.
For homeowners, landlords and housing providers, the direction is clear:
energy performance is now central to funding, compliance and upgrade decisions — and that starts with getting the right assessment in place.
What the Warm Homes Plan changes
The plan commits to upgrading millions of homes by 2030 through a combination of public funding, low-interest finance and reforms to how energy performance is assessed and regulated.
Key themes include:
Greater focus on energy efficiency and clean heating
Reform of EPC metrics so they better reflect modern homes and technologies
Stronger emphasis on quality, ventilation and building health
Clear expectations for the private rented sector to improve performance over time
In practice, this means accurate EPCs and compliant retrofit assessments will play a bigger role than ever in determining what work is appropriate — and what funding or compliance routes are available.
EPCs are evolving — accuracy matters
The Warm Homes Plan confirms ongoing reform of EPCs, alongside the future introduction of the Home Energy Model (HEM). As the system evolves, poor data and generic assumptions will increasingly lead to poor outcomes.
A high-quality EPC is no longer just a certificate — it is the starting point for investment, compliance and retrofit planning.
Retrofit is moving firmly towards PAS 2035
Alongside EPC reform, the plan reinforces the importance of quality-led retrofit, particularly where public funding, housing associations or installer-led schemes are involved.
This means:
Property-specific assessments
Fabric-first thinking
Proper consideration of ventilation and moisture risk
Clear, documented decision-making
For many projects, this requires a PAS 2035-compliant retrofit assessment, carried out independently before works begin.
How Efficiency Smart can help
Efficiency Smart supports homeowners, landlords and property professionals across the South Coast with clear, evidence-led advice — from first assessment through to a defined improvement pathway.
We provide:
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) with accurate data capture and robust evidence
PAS 2035-compliant retrofit assessments, suitable for installers, housing associations and funding providers
Landlord retrofit packs, setting out a clear, practical pathway to achieving EPC rating C or above
All assessments are independent, property-specific and risk-aware, helping avoid inappropriate measures and costly mistakes.
Next step: start with the right baseline
If you’re planning upgrades — whether for comfort, compliance, funding or long-term value — the smartest first step is to understand your property properly before works begin.
You can book an EPC online, or contact us to discuss retrofit options and improving your EPC rating through a PAS 2035-compliant retrofit assessment.
