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EPC Rating in UK Overview
Whether you are selling your property in the UK or renting out your home, you need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to market your property. The purpose of the Energy Efficient Certificate is to determine whether the property comprises of energy-efficient heating system that ultimately leads to lower energy bills.
As the energy bills have increased whoopingly in the past few years in the UK. It puts a heavy dent in the budget for many households. However, with EPC, you can make sure to save energy at home by leveraging a state-of-the-art heating system without leaving carbon footprints, using less energy, and cutting the cost of bills.
One of the benefits of having higher EPC Ratings is that it increases your property value and attracts a large number of potential buyers. If you want to sell your property for a higher price, try to get high EPC ratings.
If you are buying a home in the UK for the first time, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is also an essential part to look for. What is EPC Rating in the UK, how do you get an EPC rating and much more will be discussed in this post. Let’s get started without wasting time.
What is EPC Rating in UK?
EPC Rating in the UK is the calculation of a property’s energy efficiency. Whereas, the EPC certificate is the document detailing how energy-efficient the property is and the estimated cost of your property.
Energy Performance Certificate also comprises suggestions to improve energy efficiency in a home and estimated costs you would incur in the form of lighting, heating, and hot water. Moreover, it also contains information about how much energy would you save in the next three years.
Two major factors that contribute to EPC ratings are:
- Energy Consumed Per Square Meter
- Emission of Carbon dioxide in tonnes
What is the Validity of the Energy Performance Certificate?
The validity of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is 10 years. However, if your EPC certificate has exceeded 10 years, you have to renew it before you rent or sell your property. In fact, the EPC will allow you to take measures to improve energy efficiency and once achieved, it will increase the value of your property. Furthermore, the comfort, the coziness, and the warmth in winter seasons without worrying about energy bills will offer peace of mind.
Will I be Fined for not having an Energy Performance Certificate?
Yes, you will be penalized for not having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) up to £5,000. However, this may increase up to £30,000 from 2025.
How to Find the EPC Rating of a Property?
If you are going to buy a new property, you need to make sure that it has a valid EPC certificate. To find the EPC rating of a property, you can check it by entering the postcode of the area in.
How do I get an EPC?
The Energy Performance Certificate is issued by Domestic Energy Assessors. You can get the quote by contacting the verified Domestic Energy Assessor (DBS). To get the best deal, make sure to compare the assessors before finalizing.
Keep in mind that only certified DEAs are allowed to offer you an Energy Performance Certificate. Whether you are selling your property or not, make sure to get the Energy Performance Certificate to avoid hefty penalties. In the long run, you will be able to save much on your energy bills by optimizing your energy consumption.
How much does an EPC Cost?
The cost of an Energy Performance Certificate ranges from anywhere between £35.00-£120.00+VAT. You need to compare the quotes from different companies in order to save money as the cost of EPC varies.
The cost of an energy performance certificate also depends on other factors such as the type of property and the number of rooms. In addition, the location of your property can also be a leading factor in the EPC cost.
How do you Improve EPC Rating?
Energy Performance Certificate contains information on how to reduce the energy cost and how you use it. It also contains an energy efficiency rating from A to G. “A” being the most efficient and “G” being the least efficient. Properties that fall in the rating of D, E, F, or G qualify for improvements.
Before you call on someone to carry out the inspection, make sure to examine the areas where you could improve and get a better rating. For instance, if your ducts are not covered or windows and doors are not closed, you can manage it beforehand. Here are some of the tips that can help you in improving your EPC rating.
Insulate Walls and Roof
One of the best ways to make your home energy efficient is to insulate your home properly. Cracks, openings, and ducts should be properly insulated to avoid heat letting out of the home. Moreover, wall insulation is a great way to improve energy rating. For instance, if your house is old, you may have a cavity or gap between the walls. This may lead to loss of heat, accumulation of molds, and leveling down your EPC rating. If you are unable to afford it, you can surely go for a first-time central heating grant that also includes insulation if needed.
Go for Underfloor Heating
If you are unable to find an answer on how do I improve my EPC rating, the simple way is to go for underfloor heating. However, for installing underfloor heating, you need to have proper insulation in your home. The best thing about underfloor heating is that it consumes very little energy and operates at a lower temperature.
Using underfloor heating along with central heating will surely enhance energy efficiency. The cost of underfloor heating also depends on various factors such as the age of your property, type of system, and total area. The average cost is around £50 to £200 per square metre.
Installation Capacity
If you are applying for a boiler upgrade scheme, you must be an owner either in England or Wales.
The maximum installation capacity you would get with the boiler upgrade scheme is 45kWth.
Try Double/Triple Glazed Windows
If your EPC rating is below the recommended level, you may need to upgrade your windows. No matter, how much you invest in insulation and energy-efficient heating systems, you cannot achieve much without having double or triple-glazed windows.
Older properties are equipped with windows that are not blazed, which is the core reason behind the low energy rating. You can improve the EPC rating by investing in double and triple-glazed windows. The benefit of multi-glazed windows is that the heat may not find a way to get out of your home.
Replace Your Old Boilers with Modern Ones
Heating systems play a vital role in the winter to keep you warm and comfortable. However, heating systems can also make or break your EPC rating. If you are using an old boiler, your EPC rating may not be able to meet the minimum criteria. The only way to achieve a higher EPC rating is to replace the old boiler with a new one that produces more heat, consumes less energy, and also helps in reducing energy bills.
It is not easy for low-income households to afford to upgrade an old boiler system with a new one. The only way is to check boiler grant eligibility. Make sure you are getting some kind of benefits from the government to be eligible for a first-time central heating grant or boiler grant.
Switch to LED Lights
If your EPC rating is below the recommended level, you can simply upgrade your lights in the home. For instance, LED lights are more energy efficient than ordinary lights. Once you replace the lights with LEDs, your EPC rating will improve gradually.
Halogen and Light light-emitting diodes are the best ones to improve efficiency. Even if you have to change multiple bulbs, it won’t cost you a fortune. Try finding LED bulbs online or visit an electric store near your area.
Install a Smart Meter and Thermostat
Smart meter is not meant to improve your EPC rating, but to give you an overview of how energy is being consumed in the home. The benefit of installing a smart meter is that you can control it from anywhere using your smartphone and analyze how energy-efficient your home is.
Moreover, installing a smart thermostat is also a great way to reduce heating bills. For instance, smart thermostats can adjust the temperature according to your preference at any given time of the day. Similarly, it may shut down the heating system if not in use for a long time.
Benefits of Improving EPC Rating
Improving your EPC Rating will offer you many benefits in the long run. Here’s what you can get with a higher EPC rating.
Get a Better Mortgage Rate
A higher EPC rating is a great way to get a mortgage at a lower rate. A study found that homes and buildings with higher EPC ratings were less prone to liabilities and debts. The findings were backed by mortgage data provided by banks.
Slash Down Energy Costs
The UK Government is actively involved in reducing carbon footprints and providing assistance to low-income households. With a higher EPC rating, you can slash down your energy costs. As much as you can save an average of £1100 per annum by improving your rating. Around 40 percent of properties have improved their EPC rating by installing loft insulation.
Increase the Value of Property
Do you wish to sell your property in the future? You might be thinking of demanding too high and maybe it’s worth giving. But what if we tell you that a higher EPC rating will help you increase the value of your property? Get your EPC rating now and get the price you wished for.
Increase Your Monthly Rentals
Monthly rentals are enough to help you save some bucks. With a high EPC rating, you can also increase the monthly rent of your home. No tenant will ever argue, as he/she will already save much on energy bills that are increasing with each passing day.
Increase Your Property’s Life
A property with insulation and no leaks and cracks can increase its life. With cavities and gaps in walls, mold, and water might accumulate and damage it. Moreover, it can also result in heat loss, which may increase your energy bills. However, by filling the cracks and repairing the walls, you can prevent heat loss and increase your EPC rating.
Tax Relief
You might not be getting any tax relief yet, but in the future, the government is considering lowering the tax on properties with higher EPC ratings. Make sure to take the action immediately before the time runs out.
Tenants Stay for Longer
EPC rating is highly beneficial for property owners, especially those who rent it out. The likelihood of increasing rent and longer stay of tenants will ensure you are not getting in the hassle of paperwork and other real estate nitty gritty.
Summing Up
In this post, we have discussed the basics of what is an epc rating, how can you improve an EPC rating, and how to get an EPC. The purpose of the blog was to give you an overview of how EPC rating can affect your property’s value. If you have not obtained your EPC up till now, make sure to get it as early as possible. If your Energy Performance Certificate has expired, make sure to renew it before a heavy fine is charged. By improving your EPC rating, you will not only save yourself from penalties but also save on energy bills for years to come.
For more info and updates about EPC and ECO4 Scheme, keep visiting ecoenergyservices.co.uk.
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