In most cases your Assessor is able to obtain the vast majority of 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 gather documentary evidence which is needed for audit purposes. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software. In this situation the software will use what the property would have been built with based upon it’s age.

Whenever you can provide documentary evidence of any of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will likely improve 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 fitted.

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

• 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.}

The 3 mains things that have the biggest 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 somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical property or home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi-detached which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat with gas when compared with £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs impacts the EPC score. 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 improvements to the double glazing will make a difference, the biggest increase is only really achieved if you are upgrading from single glazing to doubled glazing. If you are upgrading from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, this would only show as a small improvement in the energy rating of the property. With upvc 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 particular object, this kind of comfort gain is not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed 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 heating, insulation, and heating controls.