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

The Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary information which is required for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In cases like this the software program will use what the property would have been built with based upon it’s age.

Whenever you can provide documentary evidence of any of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will likely enhance the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness installed.

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

The three items that have the main 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 typically heated by either of these kinds of fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a property heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating score. Higher costs equates to 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 bit of a surprise, but upvc double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as mentioned before. However, where it does have a more substantial impact, is if the house is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are updating from pre 2002 upvc 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 noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

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