Typically your Assessor should be able to obtain almost all of the information they need 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 obtain documentary evidence that is required for audit reasons. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software. In cases like this the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

If you can provide documentary proof of these kinds of improvements then these can be shown on the EPC and will probably help the rating of your EPC Certificate.

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

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

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

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

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

The 3 mains items that have the most significant 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 generally 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 house heated by gas would cost around 4.64 pence per kwh and the same house heated by bottled LPG 23p per kwh. {*source 2019 Nottingham Energy Partnership.} So with a typically semi-detached which uses around 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost £556 to heat by gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs affects the EPC rating. Higher expenses equates to 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 may come as a bit of a surprise, but upvc double glazing does not have as big an effect on the EPC as most people would think. Certainly not nearly as much as the heating, the insulation and the type of fuel used as mentioned above. However, where it does have a greater impact, is when your property is upgraded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are updating from pre 2002 upvc 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 normally experienced by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction 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 Energy Performance Certificate because they are an inexpensive improvement that contributes to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.