The data entered into the software is based on evidence which the Assessor collects during the visit. Typically your Assessor will get almost all the information whilst going around the home.

Your Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary evidence which is necessary for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In this instance the software will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

If you can supply documentary proof of any of these kinds of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains items that have the biggest 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 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 or home heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property or home 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 by gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher expenses equates to 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 will come as a shock, but upvc double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would imagine. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as previously mentioned. Where it can have a greater effect, is if the house is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the property.

With double glazing the perception is typically felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because 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 indeed help the EPC as they are an inexpensive improvement that contributes to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.