In most cases your Assessor can obtain almost all of the information they require simply by going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

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

Whenever you can supply documentary proof of any of these types of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and will probably increase the rating of your EPC.

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

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

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness fitted.

• Roof extensions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architectural drawings.

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

The 3 mains 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 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 house heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the similar house which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC rating. 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 one may come as a bit of 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 in the property as mentioned above. Where it does have a greater impact, is when the house is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home.

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

 

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