| How property owners can improve their EPC rating.3 June 2019 | Admin A good EPC rating is a great selling point for your home and an essential if you’re a landlord. The EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, rating is a measurement of how energy efficient a home is. Since 1st April 2018 it has been unlawful to let a property with an energy rating below E, on a scale of A-G, where G is the lowest and least energy efficient level. The rating looks at energy costs and takes into account permanent improvements to a building, for example insulation, but not removable draught excluders or thick curtains. Improving your EPC rating In an E.ON survey, nearly half of landlords questioned said they didn’t feel they had enough information to improve the rating of their properties. Heat loss occurs through walls, windows, roofs and chimneys. An estimated 35 percent is lost through walls, 25 percent through the roof and the remaining 40 percent through windows, doors and the floor. Insulation is key to improving the EPC rating of a property. Walls should be insulated wherever possible. Cavity wall insulation is not always suitable, so you will need to take expert advice before proceeding as it can cause problems if used in the wrong situation. Loft insulation will prevent much of the upwards heat loss and should be at least 270mm thick. Unused chimneys can be sealed, particularly larger ones where draughts are a problem. Upgrading to good quality double-glazed windows prevents draughts as well as keeping in the warmth. They will also cut down on noise and condensation problems. If double-glazing is not an option, then secondary glazing can be added to the inside of existing windows as the next best solution. Replacing an old and inefficient boiler should boost an EPC rating substantially. With 55 percent of a household’s energy costs going on heating, replacing a G-rated boiler with an A-rated one could save up to £300 for a detached home. Smaller improvements can also be made, including draught-proofing doors and letterboxes, replacing lightbulbs with LED lights and insulating the hot water cylinder if there is one. Tenants often look for properties with good energy ratings to keep their bills as low as possible. Having smart double-glazed windows and a new boiler will also indicate to them that their landlord cares for their property. For homeowners, improving the energy rating will not only be great for when they come to sell, but will also mean less in gas and electricity costs.
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