In most cases your Assessor can obtain almost all of the information they need by just going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

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

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

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

• Any 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 contractors showing thickness fitted.

• Loft extensions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architects drawings.

The 3 mains things that have the most significant impact 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 generally 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 property or home heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same property or 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 home, it would cost you £556 to heat with gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating score. Higher costs 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
Although upgrades to the double glazing will make a difference, the biggest difference is only really achieved when upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, this will only show as a small improvement in the energy rating of the home. With double glazing the perception is normally experienced by the customer in terms of cosiness from a decrease in draughts. Since the EPC doesn’t consider the condition of any specific object, this kind of comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does help the Energy Performance Certificate as they are a low cost improvement that contributes to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.