Typically your Assessor can get most of the information they need simply by going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

The Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary evidence which is important for audit purposes. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” into the software program. In cases like this the 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 then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably increase the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

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

• Roof extensions year it was constructed – building control sign off, dated architectural drawings.

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

The 3 mains things that have the main effect 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 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 similar 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 by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher costs equals 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 one may come as a surprise, but double glazing does not have as big an impact 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 earlier mentioned. However, where it does have a greater impact, is when the home is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are improving from pre 2002 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 typically experienced 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 a low cost improvement that contributes to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.