If you are thinking about selling your home, you will need to think about ordering an EPC. An EPC is a legal requirement whenever a property is sold or rented. *The EPC rating of your property can also affect the property value. This is why it’s really important to think about the energy efficiency of your home
In this blog, we will explain what an EPC is, why you need one, and how to improve your EPC rating.
What is an EPC?
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a document that shows how energy efficient your home is. It displays a rating on an A-G scale, with A being the most efficient, and G being the least. The EPC rating indicates how much energy bills will cost and what carbon emissions are coming from the property. It will also suggest how you can improve the energy efficiency in your home.
How do I Get an EPC?
To get an Energy Performance Certificate, you will need to contact an energy assessor. If you are struggling to find an energy assessor, you can find one on the government’s EPC register. If you are using an estate agent, they will normally check if you have an up to date and valid EPC. An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years.
The assessor will conduct a survey on the house, before giving it an EPC rating. The assessor will find out how much energy your property uses and loses per square metre. This information will be used to determine the property’s energy rating. The rating is calculated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). The SAP points range from 1-100, based on your energy usage. Your SAP score will determine your energy rating, based on the below
92-100 SAP score = EPC A rating
81-91 SAP score = EPC B rating
69-80 SAP score = EPC C rating
55-68 SAP score = EPC D rating
39-54 SAP score = EPC E rating
21-38 SAP score = EPC F rating
1-20 SAP score = EPC G rating
What is a “Good” EPC Rating?
If you are unfamiliar with energy certificates, the above grading may not mean much to you. *It is estimated that the average EPC rating in the UK is D. This is the minimum EPC rating you should aim for. Anything lower may discourage potential buyers or tenants. However, there is no reason why you can’t achieve EPC rating C or above. The higher your property’s energy efficiency is, the more appealing your home becomes. Remember that the EPC rating correlates with energy bills, so your home or rental property will look even more appealing with lower energy costs.
How to Improve your Home’s EPC Rating
- Loft Insulation
Insulating your loft is one measure to consider if you are looking to improve your home’s EPC score. This will mean that your property will retain heat for longer, and therefore use less energy. Using thermal insulation with a vapour barrier will reduce the risk of moisture being trapped as a result of the insulation.
- Use LED Bulbs
Using LED bulbs is an easy way to improve your property’s energy efficiency. *It is estimated that LED bulbs use 80% less energy than traditional bulbs. If you replace every bulb in your house, this could be significant when it comes to ordering your EPC.
- Draught Proofing
If you look around your home, you may see ways you could make your home warmer. This can be done by blocking any gaps or cracks that may be letting warm air out of your property. Anything that can help your home retain heat for longer and use low energy amounts will help your EPC. Just be careful that you still ensure that your home is well ventilated.
- New Boiler
Replacing an old boiler can have a big impact on your EPC score. It may be a more expensive option, but it will cut your bills, be more eco friendly and therefore will help improve your energy certificate.
- Double Glazing
This will not only improve your home’s Energy Performance Certificate. Double or triple glazing will also help reduce noise too. It reduces the amount of heat that can escape your home. This will benefit you when the assessor is reviewing your energy performance.
Need More Information?
There are several easy ways you can improve your home’s EPC rating. If you want more information on loft insulation, visit our website now.
References
https://www.mortgageadvicebureau.com/green-hub/articles/how-your-epc-rating-impacts-your-property-value/#:~:text=This%20report%20suggested%20that%20there,more%20than%20their%20counterparts1.
https://www.tandem.co.uk/blog/epc-rating#:~:text=An%20EPC%20rating%20is%20based,to%20determine%20the%20EPC%20rating.
https://www.safestore.co.uk/blog/2022/03/12-benefits-and-advantages-of-led-lights/
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