The data entered into the software is based on proof which the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases your Assessor will get most of the information whilst going around the home.

Your Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary information that is necessary for audit purposes. If no proof is obtained then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software. In this case the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

Whenever you can supply documentary evidence of any of these types of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and is likely to enhance the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

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

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

• Loft conversions year it was built – completion certificate, dated architects plans.

The 3 mains things that have the most significant 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 house heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same house which is 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 home, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC 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 particular one may come as a bit of a surprise, but 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 in the property as previously mentioned. However, where it will have a more substantial impact, is when the house is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 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 typically experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the Energy Performance Certificate since they are an inexpensive improvement that leads to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.