Tips to Reach an EPC ‘C’ Efficiency
As the world begins to see and experience the effects of climate change, we are coming under more and more pressure to reduce our carbon footprint both as a planet but also individually. As an individual, many small things can be done that when carried out collectively, can have a great impact, and one of these is to make our homes more energy-efficient.
By making our homes more energy efficient we are not only reducing the amounts of natural resources that we are using, but we are also preventing damaging carbon dioxide from escaping into the atmosphere.
In addition to the environmental benefits of having a property that is more energy-efficient, it also means having lower energy bills – and who’s going to turn that down?
What is the EPC Rating Scale?
When you are looking at how energy efficient a home is, an EPC rating is given. EPC stands for ‘Energy Performance Certificate’ and it is normally performed when the occupancy of a property changes hands (either with new owners or new tenants). An EPC can be performed, however whenever you want one.
When an EPC assessment is carried out, a qualified assessor will come to the property and look at a number of different factors that determine the energy efficiency of the property. Some of the factors that are investigated include the presence and amount of insulation in the property, double glazing, the efficiency of boilers, and any renewable energy sources (such as solar panels) that are used.
Once the assessor has looked at all of these factors, a rating is given from A to G (with A being the most energy-efficient and G the least).
Why Aim for a ‘C’ Rating?
It goes without saying that everyone should be aiming for an EPC rating of A, but in many cases, this is not possible. The average EPC rating at the moment in the UK is a D, meaning that if you get a rating of C or above, you are doing pretty well.
As the government looks to make the country greener, they have set a ‘Green Target’ for rented properties in the UK to improve the energy efficiency to be of a level of a C by December 2025 for new tenancies, and December 2028 for all rental homes. This makes it even more imperative for landlords especially, to have a good understanding of the energy efficiency of their properties.
How to Organise an EPC Assessment
If you feel that an EPC assessment would be useful to you, arranging for one to happen is easy. Get in touch with us here at EPC For You and we can arrange for an assessor to visit your property and get you on the first step to improving its energy efficiency.
Understanding your EPC Assessment
An EPC can give you a wealth of information relating to the energy efficiency of the property. The information that can be the most useful to you as the owner of the property is the energy rating and any recommendations that are given. The energy rating gives you a good indication of how energy efficient the property is currently and whether you should be looking to improve it.
Another important aspect is the section that gives you recommendations about how you can improve the property’s energy rating. The energy rating is based mainly on three aspects – your heating system, the window glazing, and the insulation.
Improving your Heating
The efficiency of your heating system plays a big part in the amount of energy that you are using. New and modern boilers and heating systems are much more efficient and safer than older ones. By replacing an old and less efficient system with a new one, you can significantly improve its energy rating.
Improving your Window Glazing
A great deal of heat can be lost through single glazed windows in a property. Once this heat is lost, more energy must be used to heat your home again. It is, therefore, recommended that houses are double-glazed (or even triple-glazed if possible) to help to reduce the amount of heat that is lost through the windows.
Improving your Insulation
Ensuring that your property is well-insulated is one of the best ways that you can make it more energy-efficient. Insulation measures can include loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and floor insulation. Although not all properties will be suitable for all types of insulation, it can be extremely valuable to speak to someone to discuss what measures would be suitable for your property. A quarter of the heat of a household is lost through the roof and a third through the walls.
Get in touch today
Regardless of whether you are selling your property, renting it to new tenants, or are just looking to improve your property’s energy efficiency, an EPC assessment is the best place to start. To arrange a visit from one of our assessors, get in touch today.