In most cases your Assessor can 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.

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

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

• Loft extensions year it was built – building control sign off, dated architectural plans.

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

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

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

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

The three things that have the biggest impact 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 kinds of 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 around 4.64 pence per kwh and the exact same property or home heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi using in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the property, it would cost £696 to heat with gas in comparison to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the EPC score. Higher costs equals 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 will 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 assume. Certainly not as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used in the property as earlier mentioned. However, where it will have a greater effect, is when the house is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are improving from pre 2002 upvc double glazing, to current double glazing, this will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the property.

With double glazing the perception is usually experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a decrease in draughts. Because 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 lights does help the EPC because they are an affordable improvement that leads to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as insulation, heating and heating controls.