Typically your Assessor will obtain almost all of the information they require by simply 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 necessary for audit purposes. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” into 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 provide documentary proof of these sorts of improvements then this can be shown on the EPC and will likely increase the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

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

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

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

The three items that have the most significant impact 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 generally 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 somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar property which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost £696 to heat with gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC score. Higher costs 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 may come as a shock, but upvc double glazing does not have as major an impact on the EPC as most people would imagine. Certainly not nearly as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned before. Where it does have a larger impact, is when the property is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home.

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

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does help the EPC as they are an inexpensive improvement that leads to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.