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

The Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary evidence that is needed for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor must 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 determined by it’s age.

If you can supply documentary evidence of any of these kinds of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will likely improve the rating of your EPC.

• Loft conversions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architects drawings.

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains things that have the biggest 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 properties are generally 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 around 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar home 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 property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher expenses 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
Although upgrades to the double glazing does make a difference, the most significant increase is only really achieved when improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, it will only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the property. With upvc double glazing the perception is typically felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a decrease in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any specific item, this kind of comfort gain is just not measured.

 

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