Looking into selling or renting your home in the UK? If so, it is essential to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
An EPC provides accurate information on the energy efficiency of your home on a scale from A (very good) to G (inefficient) and provides tips on how to improve it.
Why should I take steps to improve my EPC rating?
As a potential buyer or renter, properties with a high EPC rating are generally more sought-after. This is because if a home has a higher EPC rating, it will cost less to heat and light. If you are wanting to improve the energy efficiency of your home, one of the best places to look is at the recommendations on your Energy Performance Certificate. These will range from small jobs such as switching to energy efficient lightbulbs (suitable and worth doing for renters!) to bigger jobs like improving insulation or heating controls.
Ways to improve your EPC Rating:
Solar panels:
Many people think that solar is still unaffordable for the general public, however since 2010 there has been sustained decreases of up to 85% in the costs of solar and batteries. Solar is one of the most common domestic renewable energy resources in the UK – and for good reason! Not only is solar installation estimated to save you around £475 a year on your energy bills, you’ll also cut your household emissions by a whopping 750kg of carbon a year.
Heating Controls:
Although it requires a slight investment, Installing and using heating controls correctly is another option that could provide big savings in the long run. Turning down your thermostat by just one degree can provide savings of around £105 a year! Our friendly advisors can help determine which smart controls would work best for your home.
Low Energy Lights:
Upgrading the lighting in your home to energy efficient LED’s is a quick, simple, and cost-effective change that will reflect well on your EPC. Only costing around £90, this change can be implemented by homeowners and renters alike and should help save around £55 per year on bills.
Improved wall insulation:
Around one third of all the heat lost in the home escapes through the walls, so improved wall insulation is always a good place to start when looking to improving your EPC rating. If your house was built before 1990, it may not have any wall insulation at all.
If this is the case, you likely have cavity walls, which are easily filled with insulation. This would save you around £285 per year on your energy bills, and keep your home a lot warmer.
Improved loft and floor insulation:
Insulating under the floorboards on the ground floor is a great way to reduce your heating bills and improve your EPC rating. This alone could save you up to £75 a year, however if you are looking for a quick fix – you can seal the gaps between floorboards yourself to reduce draughts and keep heat in.
Replace Your Boiler
Heating and hot water accounts for over half of your yearly energy bills – this is why it is so important to make sure your boiler is as up to date and efficient as possible.
Modern boilers are more efficient than older boilers for multiple reasons, however their main advantage is that they are condensing. A condensing boiler is able to recover more heat from the exhaust flue has and uses it to heat the central heating water.
There is however, no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why our advisors are here to help! Give us a call on 0800 193 0779 and we will help you determine the most economic system for your household.
