Typically your Assessor can obtain most of the information they need by simply going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor has to take photographic or obtain documentary information that is required for audit reasons. If no proof is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” in to the software. In this case the software will use what the property would have been built with based upon it’s age.

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

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

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

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

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

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractor showing thickness fitted.

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 homes are generally heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for example a property or home heated by gas would cost you around 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical property or home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas as compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher costs equals 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 will come as a surprise, but double glazing does not have as big an effect on the EPC as most people would assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned before. However, where it will have a more substantial effect, is if the home is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is generally experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Unfortunately the EPC doesn’t consider 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.