In most cases your Assessor is able to get a lot of the information they need by simply going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

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

If you can provide documentary proof of any of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably enhance the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

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

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

• Any wall insulation Internal/Cavity/External– Any guarantees, or invoice from the contractor

The three things that have the main effect on the energy rating are:

• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.

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 instance a house heated by gas would cost 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-detached using around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. 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
Although upgrades to the double glazing does make a difference, the most significant difference is actually really achieved if you are upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are simply modernising from pre 2002 double glazing, it will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is normally noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

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