Typically your Assessor should be able to obtain most of the information they need 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 important for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software. In such a case the software program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

If you can provide documentary evidence of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and is likely to help the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains items that have the main impact 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 typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a property heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £696 to heat with gas when compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC score. Higher costs equates to 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 will come as a bit of a shock, but upvc double glazing does not have as major an effect 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. However, where it can have a larger effect, is if 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 normally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

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