What you need to know

If you’ve recently had an energy performance certificate (EPC) carried out on your property, you may be wondering if you can appeal the energy efficiency rating. Here’s what you need to know about EPCs and how to go about appealing your energy efficiency rating.

Why might I want to appeal my home’s energy efficiency rating?

Maintaining a high energy efficiency rating for your home can be a worthwhile investment. Not only does it help you save on energy costs and make your home more sustainable, but it can also add increased value to your home.

With that in mind, there may be times when you want to appeal the energy efficiency rating of your home if you feel it is not accurately reflecting the energy savings within it.

An appeal could be based on some changes or improvements you have made which were not considered when the initial visit was done.

Furthermore, higher overall ratings can also increase the resale potential of a home should you ever wish to put it on the market in the future.

What are the steps involved in appealing an EPC rating?

The first step of this process is to contact the original assessor who did the assessment. Their details, name, phone number, and email address will be on the last page of all energy performance certificates .

Always put the query/complaint in writing, such as in an email, and the reason you are appealing the rating.

Allow the assessor up to 5 days to respond. If no response is received resend the query and back it up with a phone call to ensure that it has been received.

If the assessor’s response isn’t satisfactory or despite numerous contacts the assessor doesn’t respond, then you can escalate it to their accreditation body. You will find their details at the bottom of the energy performance certificate.

The accreditation body will then carry out an audit of the energy performance certificate. The assessor will be asked to provide the dimensions, photos and site notes used to create the EPC.

The accreditation body will then update you and the assessor with it’s finding of the audit.

Are there any risks associated with appealing an EPC rating?

There are no financial risks involved in appealing an EPC rating.

If the assessor has responded to you with the reason why they believe the energy performance certificate is correct then there is a high probability that the accreditation body will also come to the same decision.

This is because they both have to follow a set of clearly defined conventions in how to interpret the data that was gathered in the home, even though you may know it’s not accurate.

One thing that can sometimes fustrate customers is what is expected from an EPC.

The energy performance certificate is not a bible and gospel of what is in the property, but more a report of what was gathered from the property that can be supported by photographic or documentary evidence.

The top 3 reasons that lead to appealing an EPC rating

Number 3

A common reason the energy performance certificate is challenged is because of the ommision of energy efficiency improvements, in particular insulation in areas where it cant be seen, such as in:

• underfloors
• flat roofs
• sloping ceilings

In these types of situations the assessor must have documentary evidence of what was done. The document must show the address of the property and the thickness of the insulation added.

Acceptable evidence would be something like an invoice or receipt or a specification of works from the contractor detailing the work that was done.

If no evidence is produced, then that element of the home will default to the building regulations applicable at the time for that part of the home.

Number 2

A recent loft conversion rating showing as poor on the EPC.

You will need to provide your assessor with documentary evidence when the conversion was built, such as architectual plans or a completion certificate from building control.

If nothing can be produced, then it is a convention that the date of the main house must be used. In most cases this will have a negative impact on the EPC.

Number 1

The number 1 reason why people challenge the rating of an EPC is when changing from storage heaters to electric panel heaters.

They often think that the EPC rating will improve but the exact opposite happens and the rating plummets.

This sometimes drops the rating below the rating required under the minimum energy efficiency standard required for domestic private rented properties.

We have a seperate article dedicated solely to this called, “the most common improvements people make that actually lowers the epc rating”.

Frequently asked questions

Can an EPC be amended?

Yes, an EPC can be amended, but only by the accredited domestic energy assessor who did the orginal assessment. You will need to contact the assessor and advise them of what you believe to be incorrect.

The assessor will investigate the problem and if they are in agreement, the originally EPC is cancelled and a new EPC is issued with the corrections made.

How do I get my EPC reassessed

If you believe an error was made on the original EPC, contact the original assessor who’s name, contact number and email address will be at the bottom of the EPC. Tell them about your concerns, preferably in writing, and ask them to reassess it.

You won’t be able to reasses an EPC if only one item has been upgraded since the orginal visit. For example, you’ve replaced the double glazing or heating systems and now want this reflected on the EPC.

In the situation above, a new site visit will be required.

You can find a local approved assessor by going to https://www.gov.uk/get-new-energy-certificate.