Typically your Assessor is able to get almost all of the information they require by just going around the property. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

Your Assessor has to take photographic or gather documentary evidence that is necessary for audit purposes. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor has to enter the term “as built” into the software. In this case the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can provide documentary evidence of these types of improvements to the property then this can be shown on the EPC and is likely to increase the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

• Any wall insulation Cavity/Internal/External– Any guarantees, or invoice from the installer

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

• Sloping ceiling insulation/ floor insulation – receipt from contractors showing thickness installed.

The 3 mains items that have the main effect on the energy rating are:

• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating the property
• The levels of insulation in the property.

Main Source of Fuel
UK homes 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 instance a property or home heated by gas would cost you 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 with a typically semi-detached which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost you £696 to heat with gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating rating. Higher expenses 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 particular one will come as a surprise, but 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 in the property as mentioned before. However, where it can have a more substantial impact, is if your property is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the property.

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 particular item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

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