In most cases your Assessor should be able to obtain the vast majority of information they need by simply going around the home. The data entered into the software is based on evidence gathered during the visit.

The Assessor must take photographic or obtain documentary information that is needed for audit purposes. If no evidence is gathered then the Assessor must enter the term “as built” into the software. In this instance the software program will use what the property would have been built with based on it’s age.

Whenever you can supply documentary proof of these kinds of improvements then this can be shown on the Certificate and will likely increase the rating of your EPC.

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

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

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

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

• Roof conversions year it was constructed – completion certificate, dated architectural plans.

The 3 mains things that have the most significant effect on the energy rating are:

• The levels of insulation in the property.
• The heating system.
• The main source of fuel for heating 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 instance a home heated by gas would cost you around 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 which uses in the region of 12,000 kwh to heat the home, it would cost you £556 to heat by gas compared to £2,760 for bottled LPG.. Therefore running costs influences the Energy Performance rating score. 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 one may come as a shock, but double glazing does not have as major an impact on the EPC as most people would imagine. 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 larger effect, is if the property is up-graded from single glazing to double glazing. When you are upgrading from pre 2002 double glazing, to current double glazing, it will only show as a small increase in the energy rating of the property.

With double glazing the perception is generally felt by the customer in terms of comfort from a reduction in draughts. Because the EPC doesn’t take into account the condition of any specific item, this comfort gain is not recorded.

 

Low Energy Lights
Again low energy lights does indeed help the Energy Performance Certificate since they are a low cost improvement that makes a contribution to reduced energy costs but nowhere near the same contribution as heating controls, heating system, and insulation.