The information put into the software is based on proof that the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases the Assessor can get most of the information whilst going around the property.

The Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary evidence which is required for audit purposes. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In such a case the software will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can provide documentary evidence of these sorts of improvements then these can be shown on the Certificate and will likely enhance the rating of your EPC.

• Solar PV or Solar Thermal – MCS certificate from installer.

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractor showing thickness fitted.

• Roof conversions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architects drawings.

• Double glazing improvements made to the majority of the property – Fensa certificate, or dated receipt from the installers.

• Any type of wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or invoice from the installer

The 3 mains things that have the biggest impact on the energy rating are:

• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating the property

Main Source of Fuel
UK properties are generally heated by either of these kinds of fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost £696 to heat with gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC score. Higher costs equals lower ratings.

Levels Of Insulation
Good levels of insulation ensures that the demand on the heating system is kept down, and it also results in a more comfortable home with lower running costs.

The Heating System
An efficient heating system with good controls such as room thermostat, thermostatic valves and programmer helps to keep energy bills down. This all contributes to a better rating on the EPC.

Double glazing
This may come as a shock, but double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would imagine. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as earlier mentioned. Where it can have a more substantial impact, is if the property is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are updating from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is generally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does indeed help the EPC as they are an affordable improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.