In most cases your Assessor will get almost all of the information they require 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 obtain documentary information which is necessary for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software program. In this instance the software will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

Whenever you can supply documentary evidence of any of these sorts of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and is likely to increase the rating of your EPC Certificate.

• Roof extensions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains items that have the most significant 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 fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences 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 particular one will come as a shock, but double glazing does not have as major 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. However, where it can have a more substantial effect, is when the home is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are changing from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is normally 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 recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the EPC because they are a low cost improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating, insulation, and heating controls.