The data entered into the software is based on evidence that the Assessor gathers during the visit. In most cases your Assessor can get the majority of the information whilst going around the home.

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

If you can supply documentary evidence of these sorts of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and will likely help the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

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

• Loft conversions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architects drawings.

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 properties are typically heated by either of these fuel sources: gas, peak rate electric, off peak electric, oil, bulk or bottled LPG. So for instance a home heated by gas would cost somewhere in the region of 4.64 pence per kwh and the identical home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So using a typically semi-detached using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC score. Higher expenses equates to lower scores.

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 may come as a bit of a shock, but double glazing does not have as big an impact on the EPC as most people would assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as previously mentioned. However, where it can have a more substantial effect, is if the house is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are improving from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, this would only show as a small rise in the energy rating of the home.

With double glazing the perception is usually felt 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 measured.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lighting does help the Energy Performance Certificate because they are a low cost improvement that contributes to lower energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating, insulation, and heating controls.