What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a rating of how energy efficient a home is. It is calculated by an energy assessor who will look at things like the insulation, heating system, and windows in your home. The rating goes from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient. An EPC is valid for 10 years from when the survey was taken.
A good EPC rating is anything from A to C. This means that your home is relatively energy efficient and you are not wasting a lot of energy on heating and cooling. If your EPC rating is D or below, then your home is not as energy efficient as it could be and is likely costing you more money. You may want to consider making some improvements to your home to improve its EPC rating.
To calculate your EPC rating, you will need to get an energy assessment from a qualified assessor. The assessor will look at your home and assess its energy efficiency. They will then give you a rating from A to G which will last for 10 years.
Find out your home’s EPC rating: Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Improving your Energy Performance Certificate rating?
Before having a survey carried out, or once you receive your results, you may want to improve your rating. There are a few things you can do to improve your EPC rating:
- Insulate your home properly. This will help to keep the heat in during the winter and the cool air in during the summer.
- Install energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
- Seal any air leaks around your windows and doors.
- Consider installing solar panels or a heat pump.
Why improve your EPC rating?
In recent years, the government have changed the rules for the EPC rating and now a good rating should be C or above beginning in 2025. If you are thinking of selling your home, a good EPC rating can make it more attractive to buyers. It can also save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
The following are some of the key benefits of improving your EPC rating:
- You could save money on your energy bills.
- Your home could be more attractive to buyers if you are thinking of selling.
- You could help to reduce your carbon footprint.
- You could improve the comfort of your home.
- You can even lower your mortgage rate by improving your EPC, through green mortgages
Keep in Mind…
If you are thinking of improving your EPC rating, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- The cost of making improvements will vary depending on the type of improvements you make.
- Some improvements may require planning permission.
- Some improvements may take time to see a return on investment.
- There are government grants that can help you to improve the EPC rating of your home such as ECO4.
Overall, improving your EPC rating can be a good way to save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve the comfort of your home.
