Why Homeowners Should Check Meter Data Before Funding Energy Upgrades

In a recent LinkedIn post, Nick Curum discusses the gap between Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) estimates and measured household energy use. Curum argues that homeowners should check meter data before committing to costly improvements, especially when an EPC rating appears to point toward major work.

“Your EPC was written without anyone reading your meter.”

Estimated ratings can diverge from measured use

Curum describes an EPC as a model based on a building’s features, including its walls, windows, loft and heating system. According to his post, a UCL study comparing EPC estimates with smart meter readings across 1,374 homes found that estimates were 8% too high on average for Band C homes and 48% too high for homes rated Bands F and G.

That difference matters because, as Curum points out, lower-rated homes may be the ones most likely to need improvements, while their estimates may also be furthest from actual consumption. In his view, relying on the rating alone could lead a property owner to choose a fix that does not address the home’s actual energy use.

“So the EPC can point you at the wrong fix.”

Use evidence to guide renovation spending

Curum frames upgrades such as insulation, replacement windows and heat pumps as significant expenses. He draws a comparison with business investment decisions, arguing that a board would seek measured figures before approving capital spending. He says homeowners should apply similar scrutiny to decisions about their properties.

Curum’s proposed checks

His post recommends reviewing a full year of meter data, using AI to identify heating patterns and peaks in consumption, and checking where heat escapes before selecting a project. The sequence puts observed household use alongside the building assessment, with the aim of funding work supported by evidence.

“Read the meter before you spend.”

Implications for landlords

Curum says this approach is particularly relevant to rental properties. His post refers to a requirement for rentals to reach EPC C by 2030, with spending capped at £10,000 per property. He distinguishes the rating’s role in setting a deadline from the meter’s role in helping landlords decide which improvement merits investment.

The post’s central argument is that an EPC remains relevant, but it should not be the only input to an expensive retrofit decision. Curum’s recommendation is to compare the model with actual meter readings and inspect the property before choosing a solution. That is the practical case he makes for treating home energy upgrades with the same evidence-led discipline he associates with portfolio investment.