In most cases your Assessor is able to obtain the majority 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.

The Assessor must take photographic or gather documentary evidence that is required for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” into the software. In cases like this the program will use what the property would have been built with determined by it’s age.

Whenever you can provide documentary evidence of these sorts of improvements to the property then these can be shown on the Certificate and will probably help the rating of your EPC.

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

• Solar Thermal, or Solar PV – MCS certificate from installer.

• Floor insulation/ sloping ceiling insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness fitted.

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

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

The three items 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 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 home heated by gas would cost you somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the same home which is heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £696 to heat by gas when compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating score. 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
Although improvements to the double glazing can make a difference, the most significant increase is only really achieved if you are improving from single glazed to doubled glazed. If you are simply 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 sensed by the customer in terms of cosiness from a reduction in draughts. As the EPC doesn’t look at the condition of any particular item, this kind of comfort gain is simply not measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the EPC as they are an affordable improvement that makes a contribution to cheaper energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.