Typically your Assessor should be able to get the vast majority of information they require by simply going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary information 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 program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

Whenever you can supply documentary proof of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably improve the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

• Roof conversions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architects plans.

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

The three things that have the biggest effect 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 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 example a house heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the very same house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi using 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 affects 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
This one may come as a bit of a surprise, but upvc 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 as earlier mentioned. However, where it can have a more substantial impact, is if the house is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. If you are changing from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the property.

With double glazing the perception is typically noticed by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Unfortunately the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not measured.

 

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