EPC certificates explained

An EPC certificates are shows how energy efficient your property is, the document includes estimated costs for energy and the homes energy performance features.

Epic Ratings

A certificate will have an efficiency rating between A and G and will look like example as below

Since Energy Ratings have been very significant in home sales for the last few years , new build home are geared towards achieving very good energy ratings , this is older homes sometimes need some or a lot of work to get a better energy rating as properties in the past were not built for energy conservation .

Things that will help energy ratings are as below 

Windows that are double glazed 

If you don’t yet have double glazing fitted, you could be surprised at the difference it can make to your annual energy bills.

Your initial investment will be fairly high but double-glazed windows will trap more heat inside your home, meaning they will save you money in the long term.

Double glazing is available in a variety of styles, so it doesn’t have to ruin the look of your home. When you are choosing your windows, look out for the ‘Energy Saving Trust recommended’ logo as this seal of approval is only given to the more efficient windows.

Wall with cavity insulation   

Un-insulated walls are another big cause of the heat lost in your home. Filling cavity walls could save you between £70 and £255 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

However, a job like this doesn’t come cheap – cavity wall insulation costs from £330 upwards depending on the size of your property – but some energy suppliers will offer funding if you’re on certain benefits. Give yours a ring to find out.

Insulated loft

Poorly insulated roofs and walls can be a major cause of energy wastage. But with decent loft insulation, you could save between £120 and £225 a year, depending on the type of property you have and where you live, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Upgraded energy efficient boiler 

Did you know inefficient boilers could be adding a few hundred pounds to your energy bills? That means that upgrading yours could be a great way to cut what you pay in the long term.

It’s also a great way to dramatically reduce your home’s carbon emissions – boilers account for 60% of the carbon dioxide emissions in a gas heated home.

Boilers are rated on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. If yours is at the lower end of the scale then investing in a new one could save you a packet over the long-term.

Some simple things that you can do that will not cost a fortune 

Thicker curtains 

Energy efficient kettle and oven 

Turn off appliances that are not being used 

Get energy supplier to fit a smart meter 

Change habits make sure lights are off when not needed 

Keep doors shut.

If you have the money to do this 

Solar panels  

Solar panels enable you to generate some of your own heat or power so you’ll save money on your bills. Previously, you could even sell energy back to the National Grid with a feed-in tariff, but this scheme closed to new applicants on 31 March 2019 (anyone who has had solar panels installed before this date will still benefit).

However, the government is introducing a Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) that means most suppliers will need to pay you for your exported excess electricity. This won’t start until January 2020, but some companies, such as Octopus, are already offering SEG tariffs to customers.

Northern Irish customers can already get paid for any surplus power they export.

Some solar panels warm the water in your tanks by a small amount, reducing your overall bills.

But those with photovoltaic (PV) cells actually generate energy and the Energy Saving Trust thinks the average home can provide 40% of its power this way.

The average PV system costs between £5,000 and £8,000, so it’s a big initial outlay, although it depends on the amount you want to generate and the space you have for the panels.

But the good news is solar panels work even when it’s cloudy, so don’t let the UK weather put you off. It’s also sensible to set appliances such as washing machines to run when it’s lightest outside to get maximum benefit.

What is the EPC register? EPC checker 

This is a government database that stores every property that has a proper PEC certificate and you can use it to look up a property energy rating, if an EPC certificate hasn’t ever been attached to a property it will not show on the register.

How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid.

How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.

Finding an energy assessor

If your property doesn't already have an EPC, you'll need to get one before you can sell. Many people do this via their estate agent for convenience, but this is generally the pricier option. To save money by arranging your EPC independently, search the EPC register's assessor page to find an accredited domestic energy assessor. How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid. How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.

 

How long does an energy performance certificate last? EPCs are valid for 10 years. They were first introduced in England and Wales in 2007 so, depending on when you moved in, your property may already have a valid certificate. Use the EPC register's look-up tool to check if you have one - and, if so, whether it's still valid. How much do EPCs cost? EPCs can cost up to £120, although the price is much lower for most properties. While all homes need to have an EPC before they can be sold or let, there's no benefit in choosing a more expensive provider, so make sure you shop around for the best deal. Going directly to a domestic energy assessor rather than getting one through an estate agent is generally cheaper.