Typically your Assessor will get 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 has to take photographic or gather documentary evidence which is necessary for audit reasons. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software program. In cases like this the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can supply documentary evidence of these types of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and is likely to increase the rating of your EPC.

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architects drawings.

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

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

The three things that have the main effect 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 fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a property heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same property heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC score. 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 will come as a bit of a shock, but double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as earlier mentioned. Where it does have a larger impact, is if your property is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are updating from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, it will 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. Because the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any particular item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the EPC 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.