Improve your holiday let’s energy efficiency: Cut costs, boost bookings and meet 2028 EPC C requirements

1. Why energy efficiency matters for your holiday let business

Upgrading your property to meet upcoming standards and guest expectations isn’t just about compliance. It makes smart commercial sense:

• The government proposes that from 2028, new tenancies (and by 2030 all tenancies) must achieve a minimum rating of EPC C in the private rented sector.
  
  

• Travel behaviour is shifting: for example, in 2025 more than half of travellers (53 %) report being conscious of tourism’s impact on local communities and environment  (Booking.com News).
  
  

• Properties with better energy performance can cost less to run - making your stay more attractive, especially to eco‑conscious guests.
  
  

How Travelnest helps: Our property experts can review your current EPC or estimate, identify cost‑efficient upgrades, and integrate those features into your listing so you appeal to wider guest segments.

2. Key improvements that deliver strong ROI

Here are the most effective upgrades to consider - plus how to assess their return:

How Travelnest helps: Our team works through your listing’s current state, uses benchmarks to estimate savings, and ensures upgrade benefits are clearly highlighted in your guest messaging and marketing.

3. How to communicate your eco‑credentials without greenwashing

Marketing your sustainability measures is a competitive advantage - if done well. Here’s how to ensure authenticity and impact:

• Feature your key improvements clearly in listing headlines or bullet points (“Insulated throughout”, “Smart thermostat for lower bills”, “Low‑carbon heating system”).
  
  

• Use guest‑friendly language: talk about comfort, lower bills, peaceful stays - not just technical jargon.
  
  

• Provide evidence or narrative: e.g., “New boiler installed 2025, reducing energy use by approx. 20 %”
  
  

• Avoid vague claims like “eco‑friendly” without context - travellers are increasingly sceptical of greenwashing.
  
  

• Showcase ongoing efforts: recycling facilities, low‑waste welcome packs, or local produce access. These reinforce your commitment.
  
  

How Travelnest helps: Our listing optimisation service ensures your eco‑credentials are captured in the right places (headlines, amenities, descriptions) and communicated clearly across multiple channels.

4. Grants, incentives and cost‑effective planning

To help offset the cost of upgrades:

• Check for national schemes like the Boiler Upgrade Scheme or local authority grants for insulation/low‑carbon systems.
  
  

• VAT relief may apply to energy‑saving materials or installations in some cases - check current eligibility.
  
  

• Plan your upgrades with timing in mind: upgrading before bookings drop can help spread cost over higher‑earning periods.
  
  

• For return on investment, factor in lower utility bills + potential to command slightly higher rates due to improved comfort/credentials.
  
  

How Travelnest helps: Our property experts can point you toward typical grant sources and help estimate payback periods. We also update your pricing strategy once upgrades are done so you don’t under‑charge the value you’re delivering.

5. Integrating energy efficiency into your pricing and booking strategy

An improved EPC rating and eco‑credentials allow you to position your property more favourably. Here’s how:

• After upgrades, you might justify a small uplift in nightly rates - guests may pay more for comfort and lower bills.
  
  

• Feature eco credentials in guest communications (pre‑stay email, welcome pack) to boost perceived value and encourage longer stays.
  
  

• In off‑peak periods, highlight “energy‑efficient, cosy winter stays with lower bills” to target short winters or shoulder breaks.
  
  

• Use your improved rating as a marketing hook to stand out from less efficient competitors.
  
  

• Monitor occupancy before and after upgrade to measure impact - Travelnest’s smart pricing can help track this.
  
  

How Travelnest helps: Our Smart Pricing engine uses market data to recommend new pricing once improvements are implemented - ensuring you capture the rate uplift you’re entitled to, while staying competitive.

6. Compliance timeline and what it means for holiday‑let hosts

• Proposed rules indicate new tenancies must meet EPC band C from 2028, and by 2030 all tenancies must comply.
  
  

• Short‑let or holiday‑let properties may still face specific regulations - ensure you check local licensing and EPC requirements for vacation accomodation.
  
  

• Begin your planning now: delaying until last minute may mean rushed upgrades, higher costs or needing to reduce availability.
  
  

How Travelnest helps: We monitor regulatory developments and support hosts by updating listing compliance checklists, advising on timelines and ensuring your strategy is aligned ahead of deadlines.

Final thoughts

Energy efficiency is fast becoming a crucial differentiator in the UK holiday‑let market - regulatory, commercial and guest‑driven dynamics all point in the same direction. By investing in smart upgrades, communicating them effectively, and adjusting your pricing strategy accordingly, you can cut costs, attract more bookings and boost long‑term profitability.

With Travelnest’s combination of expert advice, listing optimisation and smart pricing tools, you’re well‑positioned to meet both regulatory timelines and rising guest expectations.

Get in touch with our team or log in to your Travelnest dashboard to review your property’s energy‑efficiency opportunities and start planning upgrades today.