In most cases your Assessor can get the majority 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 has to take photographic or gather documentary evidence which is important for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In this instance the software program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

Whenever you can provide documentary proof of any of these types of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the Certificate and will likely improve the rating of your EPC Certificate.

• Roof extensions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architects drawings.

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains things 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 homes 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 exact same home 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 property, it would cost you £596 to heat by gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences 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
Although improvements to the double glazing does make a difference, the biggest increase is actually really achieved if you are improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, this would only show as a modest rise in the energy rating of the property. With double glazing the perception is normally felt by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific object, this kind of comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

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