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

What we need to prevent is the Assessor putting into the software the phrase “as built” for items that are needed where no proof is obtained. If the term “as built” must be used then the software will default to the worst case scenario based upon what would have been there when the property was constructed. This may have a negative impact on the {rating of the EPC}

If you can provide documentary evidence of these sorts of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the Certificate and will probably improve the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architects plans.

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

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 or home heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar property or home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC rating. 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
This particular one may come as a surprise, but double glazing does not have as major an impact on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as earlier mentioned. Where it will have a larger effect, is if the property is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are updating from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is typically experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Unfortunately the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the Energy Performance Certificate since they are an inexpensive improvement that contributes to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.