In most cases your Assessor is able to get the vast majority of information they require by just going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary evidence that is necessary for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software. In this case the software will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

If you can provide documentary proof of these kinds of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will likely improve the rating of your EPC.

• Loft conversions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

• Any wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– {guarantee, or receipt from installer.}

• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – An MCS certificate from contractor.

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness installed.

The 3 mains things that have the biggest effect 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 homes are generally heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a house heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar house which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi-detached which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC score. Higher costs equals lower scores.

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
Although upgrades to the double glazing does make a difference, the biggest increase is only really achieved if you are improving from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are modernising from pre 2002 double glazing, this would only show as a modest increase in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is normally experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific object, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does indeed help the Energy Performance Certificate as they are a low cost improvement that makes a contribution to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.