What is an EPC?
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate.
Since 2002, EU legislation requires most properties for to let to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Since April 2018, you have be unable to let a property with an EPC rating of F or G (unless the property is registered for a temporary exemption which last up to 5 years).
To get an EPC a Domestic Energy Assessor will need to inspect your home before preparing the Energy Performance Certificate.
The EPC contains information about:
- The property’s energy use and typical energy costs
- Recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money
The EPC gives the property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is currently valid for 10 years.
How do I get an EPC?
Our Energy Assessor can carry out an assessment to advise what is required to meet the minimum requirement for the least cost, the cost of this assessment is £130 (inc vat where applicable) which includes the EPC which is normally £80 (inc vat where applicable) on its own. This will involve the Assessor visiting the property twice to carry out the initial assessment and finally the EPC once works are completed. If your property already meets the minimum requirements the EPC can be generated for the cost of the single visit at £80 (inc vat where applicable).
How can I increase my Energy Efficiency Rating?
Prior to the assessment being carried out at your property, there are many simple and significant alterations that you may choose to implement to ensure that you receive the best rating possible.
These include:
- Low Energy Lighting
- Insulating Hot Water Cylinders
- Draft Proofing
- Heating Control Upgrade
For a full list of factors see the bottom of this page.
What effects an EPC rating?
Lighting:
Replace existing halogen or non-Low Energy Saving Bulbs with Energy Saving, Compact Fluorescent Light’s or Light Emitting Diodes – this is a simple and inexpensive way to make your property more energy efficient.
Hot water cylinder:
Where a hot water cylinder is present, ensuring it has at least 80mm of insulation on it will improve the EPC greatly for very little cost. The cost of this is typically between £50 – 75, depending on the size of the cylinder.
Draft proofing:
Draft proofing around doors and windows can also be a cheap way of raising your EPC rating, this is usually when your property has a wooden external door or wooden framed windows (but can also be on older Double-Glazed Window Frames). The cost of this typically is between £50 – 100, depending on what is required.
Heating controls:
Even if you have an old boiler, the introduction of modern controls such as a room thermostat, individual Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) and Boiler Programmer will have a positive bearing on the EPC results. The cost of this is typically between £100 – 500, depending on what is required.
Roof insulation:
Ensure that your loft insulation is at least 270mm in depth will improve the EPC rating. If your loft has 90mm or less you may be able to get funding to have the loft filled or topped up! This can cost as little as £99 with help from a grant or Free for certain tenants on benefits.
Wall construction:
If your property has a cavity wall construction, ensure that this is filled to maximise the EPC rating in this area. This is a specialist job and can be quite costly. However, funding is available for this for certain property types and has a huge bearing on the EPC rating.
Central heating system:
Replacing an old, inefficient boiler will have a significant impact on any property’s EPC rating although this can be quite expensive it often pays for its self by reducing the cost of repairs of older boilers, we recommend Worcester Bosch as they can carry warranties of up to 10 Years depending on model and configuration. We can obtain a free quotation from one of our trusted contractors.
Electric heating:
Electric heating can lower your EPC rating however there are certain types of heaters out there which can improve your score, these are such as Quantum heaters which work in properties with a dual tariff meter and Economy 7 Wiring (i.e. Storage Heaters). Our trusted contractors can quote for these where possible.
Windows:
Lack of double glazing windows can lower your EPC rating, however you do not have to spend a fortune on double glazing, you can instead opt for secondary glazing which can be a cheaper alternative. Although most people opt for double glazing based on the lower ongoing maintenance costs vs wooden framed single glazing, it also helps lower chances of black spot and mould as they can be more easily opened to allow ventilation into the property.
For more information see:
https://www.stroma.com/media/minimum-energy-efficiency-standards-mees-flyer.pdf