What each EPC band actually means, how the SAP score maps to a letter, and where most Solihull homes sit on the scale.
Every EPC gives a property a score from 1 to 100 — the SAP score — which maps to a letter band from A to G. The higher the score, the lower the modelled running costs, and for landlords the band directly determines whether the property can legally be let.
| Band | SAP score | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | 92–100 | Excellent — very low energy bills |
| B | 81–91 | Very good — efficient modern home |
| C | 69–80 | Good — the target for landlords by 2030 |
| D | 55–68 | Average — most homes in Solihull sit here |
| E | 39–54 | Below par — current legal minimum to let |
| F–G | 1–38 | Poor — cannot usually be let without works |
Where Solihull homes actually sit
The national picture is that most existing homes land in band D, and Solihull is no exception — but the spread within the borough is wide, and it tracks the age of the housing rather than the affluence of the area.
- Modern estates — Monkspath, Dickens Heath, Cheswick Green and the newer parts of Balsall Common tend to sit at C or high D, because the fabric was built to a decent standard.
- Inter-war semis — much of Shirley, Olton, Lode Heath and Castle Bromwich sits at D, and moves to C readily once the cavity and loft are done.
- System-built estate housing — parts of Chelmsley Wood, Kingshurst and Smith’s Wood can sit at D or E, with the heating system usually the deciding factor.
- Solid-walled period property — Knowle, Berkswell, Meriden, Barston and Hampton-in-Arden often sit at E or below, and are the hardest and most expensive to move.
What the bands mean in practice
A and B are rare outside new build and deep retrofit. C is the band that matters most right now, because it is the level residential lettings are expected to need by 2030. D is where the bulk of the country sits. E is the current legal minimum to let. F and G cannot lawfully be let at all without a registered exemption.
One important caveat
The EPC models a standard household, not yours. Two identical houses get identical ratings even if one family runs the heating at 21°C all winter and the other wears a jumper. The certificate is a comparison of buildings — it is deliberately not a bill estimate.
Moving up a band
See our MEES consultancy for a costed plan, or book a fresh domestic EPC to establish the current score first.
Looking for your own area? We have local EPC guides for Shirley, Olton, Knowle, Dorridge, Solihull town centre, Chelmsley Wood, Castle Bromwich, Balsall Common and every other Solihull area.