How to Improve EPC Rating



Improving your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is a crucial step for homeowners aiming to enhance their property's energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and boost overall market value. With rising energy costs and growing environmental awareness, both current and potential homeowners are increasingly seeking ways to improve their EPC ratings. This guide provides clear and actionable tips to help you understand and improve your EPC rating, covering everything from insulation upgrades to incorporating renewable energy solutions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Improving your EPC rating can significantly reduce your energy bills and increase your property's market value.

 

  • Understanding your current EPC rating and identifying key areas for improvement is the first step towards enhancing energy efficiency.

 

  • Effective insulation is essential to prevent heat loss and improve your EPC rating.

 

  • Upgrading heating systems and controls, such as installing modern boilers and smart thermostats, can greatly enhance energy efficiency.

 

  • Incorporating renewable energy solutions like solar panels can provide sustainable energy sources and further improve your EPC rating.
  • Some energy improvements have a great impact on your property's EPC rating than others. So to achieve better EPC results, an EPC consultant can assess your property and determine which improvements are more cost-effective.



Follow the link below to request an EPC quote:

London EPC | Energy Performance Certificate in London (energyperformancesolutions.co.uk)


Understanding the Importance of EPC Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, are essential for homeowners, potential buyers, and anyone involved in renting or selling property. An EPC is valid for ten years and is produced by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or a qualified Energy Assessor. The assessment considers various factors, such as the age and construction of the property, its insulation, heating systems, lighting, and more. The purpose of the EPC is to provide potential buyers or tenants with information about the property's energy efficiency and the associated costs, allowing you to make more informed decisions about increasing the efficiency of your property.

Assessing Your Current EPC Rating

How to Read Your EPC Report

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures a property's energy efficiency, providing a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Understanding your EPC rating can help you identify areas that need improvement. The report includes data on insulation levels, heating systems, windows, renewable energy sources, and lighting.

Identifying Key Areas for Improvement

To improve your EPC rating, focus on key areas such as:

  • Insulation
  • Heating systems and heating controls
  • Windows
  • Renewable energy sources
  • Lighting

Common Issues Found in EPC Assessments

Common issues that can negatively impact your EPC rating include very thin loft insulation (270 mm is the recommended insulation thickness), inefficient heating systems and presence of multiple unused open fire places, significantly impacting the heat loss. Addressing these issues can lead to significant benefits, including lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint.

By understanding your EPC rating, you can take steps to enhance your home's energy efficiency and achieve a more favourable rating.

Effective Insulation

Enhancing insulation is one of the most effective ways to improve your EPC rating from E to C. Start with the loft, as heat rises and can easily escape through an uninsulated roof. Installing or upgrading loft insulation can significantly reduce heat loss. Similarly, wall insulation is crucial; cavity wall insulation is a common method for newer homes, while solid wall insulation may be necessary for older properties. To a lesser extent, floors can also be a source of heat loss. However the EPC improvement for insulating the floor is 1 - 2 points only.

Be sure to seal all cracks and gaps around windows and doors as part of this process. DIY draft-proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy and enhance the comfort of your home. This can improve overall energy efficiency by 5-10%, helping to maintain desired temperatures with less energy.

Types of Insulation

  • Loft Insulation: Prevents heat from escaping through the roof.
  • Wall Insulation: Cavity wall insulation for newer homes; solid wall insulation for older properties.
  • Floor Insulation: Reduces heat loss through floorboards.

Benefits of Draught-Proofing

Draught-proofing is simple measure to implement. Seal gaps around windows, doors, and open chimneys to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping. Draught excluders and weatherstripping can be easily installed and blocking open fireplaces can offer immediate benefits. By making these improvements, you'll not only enhance your EPC rating but also enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home and lower energy bills.

DIY vs Professional Installation

  • DIY: Cost-effective and can be done with basic tools and materials. Ideal for simple tasks like sealing gaps and installing draught excluders.
  • Professional Installation: Recommended for more complex insulation tasks like wall and floor insulation. Ensures high-quality work and long-term benefits

Upgrading Heating Systems and Controls

Upgrading your heating system can make a substantial impact on improving your EPC rating from E to C. An old, inefficient boiler can waste a lot of energy, so consider replacing it with a modern, energy-efficient model. Condensing boilers are a popular choice, as they recover heat that would otherwise be lost up the flue. Additionally, upgrading to zone control smart thermostats can optimise your heating schedule, reducing energy waste.


Follow the link below to request an EPC quote:

London EPC | Energy Performance Certificate in London (energyperformancesolutions.co.uk)


Modern Boiler Options

Replacing your old boiler with a new condensing boiler can significantly improve your home's energy efficiency. Condensing boilers recover heat that would otherwise be lost, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to upgrade their heating systems.

Smart Thermostats and Controls

Heating controls, such as smart thermostats or energy-efficient appliances, can make it easier to manage your heating types efficiently, contributing to a better EPC rating for your property and lowering energy bills. They allow you to schedule your heating to run only when needed and can learn your schedule and adjust heating accordingly, reducing wasted energy.

Typical heating controls include:

  • A programmer
  • A room thermostat
  • Thermostatic radiator valves for all radiators

For further EPC gains, zone controls are highly recommended. These consist of two or more programmable thermostats (or smart TRVs) , covering different zones of the property independently.

 

Incorporating Renewable Energy Solutions

Incorporating renewable energy sources into your home can dramatically improve your EPC rating. Both these renewable energy options represent a forward-thinking approach to managing energy costs and reducing environmental impact. Investing in renewable energy not only supports a sustainable future but also aligns with efforts to improve energy efficiency at home, showcasing a commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

Solar Panels

Solar panels offer a way to generate clean, renewable electricity and improve your home’s energy performance. Investing in solar panels can significantly decrease energy consumption, reducing bills and paying for themselves long-term. Government policies and incentives also change periodically, so staying up-to-date ensures you can take advantage of new schemes.

Wind Turbines

Residential wind turbines are another option for homeowners with suitable properties. While less common than solar panels, small-scale wind turbines can generate electricity in areas with consistent wind speeds, contributing to savings on energy bills and enhancing energy performance.


Follow the link below to request an EPC quote:

London EPC | Energy Performance Certificate in London (energyperformancesolutions.co.uk)


Enhancing Windows

Upgrading your windows and doors can make your home more comfortable and reduce energy bills; however, the EPC gains for changing the windows from single glazing to double glazing are around 3 points. In contrast, loft insulation may give you approximately 8 - 10 points. Secondary glazing is also a viable alternative and cheaper than double glazing. 

Sealing and Draught Excluders

Draft proofing your windows and doors will also help. Especially if your property is located in a conservation area and thus unable to change the windows. Sealing gaps around single glazed windows can prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping. This simple step can improve your home's energy efficiency. Consider using draught excluders for doors and windows to further enhance insulation.

 

Optimizing Lighting

Optimizing your lighting and appliances is a straightforward way to gain a few EPC points. Start by replacing incandescent and halogen bulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL alternatives. These bulbs consume less electricity and have a longer lifespan, reducing both energy costs and waste.


So many options. Which improvements do I need to achieve C rating or above?

Some of the improvements above have greater impact than others on the EPC rating. For example, loft Insulation may give you a 8 to 10 points improvement whereas lighting may only give you 2 to 3 points. Furthermore, the improvements mentioned above are not tailored to a specific property. In other words, each property is different and might require specific combinations of improvements to become energy efficient (C rating or above) depending on the position of the property (Ex: a mid terrace house may require a fewer improvements compared to an end of terrace as it is less exposed). Also the age of the property substantially impacts the number of improvements needed.


Thus, if property owners aim to achieve a specific EPC rating, it is highly recommended to consult with an accredited energy consultant (before any works are done!) to get personalized recommendations and understand which improvements will have the most significant impact on your EPC rating. At Energy Performance Solutions our energy consultants can provide a comprehensive plan tailored to your property, so that your property can achieve an EPC C rating or above in a cost-effective way. Please see the case study below:

Case Study


For example, one of our clients had an EPC done on a Victorian house, and according to the EPC certificate to improve the EPC rating from D to C, the landlord would need to insulate the walls and the floor, which would be very costly and cause great disturbance to the current tenants. However with our consultancy advice, the landlord only had to top up the loft insulation and change the heating controls to get to the C rating. The cost of the improvements in total was just around £400, as opposed to the thousands needed to insulate the walls and floor.

Please see below the EPC certificate of the property in question before the consultancy:

Energy performance certificate (EPC) – Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk)


Please see below the EPC certificate after the EPC consultation was completed:

Energy performance certificate (EPC) – Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk)


Conclusion

Improving your EPC rating is not just about compliance or enhancing the market value of your property; it is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective living environment. By following the practical tips outlined in this guide, homeowners can make significant strides in reducing energy consumption, lowering utility bills, and contributing to environmental conservation. It is not 'one size fits all' approach, so whether it's through better insulation, upgrading windows, or adopting energy-efficient lighting, it is highly recommended to seek advice from an energy consultant to help make decisions on the effective improvements that bring you closer to a greener home. Remember, the journey to a higher EPC rating is a worthwhile investment that pays off in both financial savings and environmental benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EPC rating?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a property, giving it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).

Why should I improve my EPC rating?

Improving your EPC rating can lower energy bills, increase property value, and make your home more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

How can I find out my current EPC rating?

You can find your current EPC rating by looking at your EPC report, which provides detailed information about your home's energy efficiency.

What are some common ways to improve my EPC rating?

Common ways to improve your EPC rating include enhancing insulation, upgrading heating systems, installing energy-efficient windows and doors, and incorporating renewable energy solutions like solar panels.

Is it worth investing in professional services to improve my EPC rating?

While some improvements can be done DIY, professional services might be necessary for more complex upgrades like installing new heating systems or renewable energy solutions. They can ensure the job is done correctly and efficiently.

How long does it take to see the benefits of improving my EPC rating?

The benefits, such as lower energy bills and increased property value, can be seen almost immediately after making the improvements. However, the full financial return on investment may take a few years to materialize.


For any further questions about EPC ratings, please find our contact details below:


Kind Regards


Daniel Pina
Director & Energy Assessor | Energy Performance Solutions LTD
Address: 128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX
Email: info@energyperformancesolutions.co.uk
Web: www.energyperformancesolutions.co.uk