In most cases your Assessor should be able to get almost all of the information they require simply by going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

The Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary information that is needed for audit reasons. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In this instance the software program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

If you can supply documentary proof of any of these kinds of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and is likely to help the rating of your EPC.

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

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

• Loft conversions year it was constructed – 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 installer.

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

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

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

Main Source of Fuel
UK properties are typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a home heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC score. Higher costs equates to 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 will come as a bit of a surprise, but upvc double glazing does not have as major an effect on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not nearly as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned before. Where it does have a more substantial impact, is if the property is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are changing from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, it will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the property.

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 take into account the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

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