What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC for short) rates the overall energy efficiency of your home on a scale represented by letters from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient).
Since 2009, it has been a legal requirement throughout the EU (including the UK) to provide a valid EPC at the time of sale or rent of a home.
A previously issued EPC remains valid for ten years after it was issued.
Who can issue me with an EPC?
Only an officially certified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or a Home Inspector (HI) who is also accredited by an accreditation scheme approved by central government has the authority to issue an EPC.
How is my EPC rating calculated?
A computer program calculates your EPC rating using data entered by the DEA or HI following his or her visit to your property. This data may include:
- The type of property in relation to the space around it (flat, mid-terraced house, semi-detached house, detached house or bungalow)
- The age of the property
- The material construction of the walls of the property (solid brick, brick cavity, solid stone, concrete cavity, wood cavity, etc.)
- The material construction of the roof of the property (slate, ceramic tile, composite tile, thatch, etc.)
- The glass surface area and type of glazing (single, double, triple) in your glazed windows and doors
- The dimensions and internal air volume of the property
- The type and estimated power output of the lighting in the property
- The type and efficiency of your boiler, radiators and / or other systems used for heating rooms and water
- The depth of insulation in the roof
The EPC calculations are based on certain assumptions about typical patterns of heating use, including heating most parts of the property to 18°C and some key living areas to 21°C for 77 hours per week
What will my EPC report recommend?
A typical EPC report will identify areas for possible improvement in efficiency and estimate the annual cost savings from taking specified remedial measures. These may include:
- Replacement of old boiler with an A-rated condensing boiler
- Replacement of single-glazed windows with new double glazing
- Increasing the depth of insulation in the roof void to 270mm
- Installation of solar panels on the roof to generate solar energy
Are you based in the Bath and Bristol region or nearby? For advice and guidance on improving your EPC rating by installating renewable energy capture and storage technology, call Gregor today on 0117 935 2400 or 01225 738 397. We’ll be happy to help you take the next steps towards optimising energy efficiency in your home.
