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

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

Whenever you can supply documentary evidence of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architects plans.

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

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

Main Source of Fuel
UK homes are typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a home heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £696 to heat with gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher expenses 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 will come as a surprise, but upvc double glazing does not have as big 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 previously mentioned. Where it will have a greater effect, is when your property is upgraded 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 increase in the energy rating of the property.

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

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the EPC since they are a low cost improvement that contributes to lower energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.