Households around the UK are seeing their energy bills go up. A good way to reduce them is to improve the EPC rating on the property. Energy-efficient homes can help families of any size reduce their footprint and save money on heating and electricity. It is essential to know your property’s EPC rating, as a low rating comes with the need to improve, and improving your rating will lower your bills.
We will help you better understand how to make upgrades and fixes to your property. Doing so will not only save you money but can also impact your home’s resale value. This article will explain what an EPC rating is, how you can improve your rating and the benefits of those improvements.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
Energy performance certificates are a rating system that shows how energy-efficient the property being bought/sold/or lived in is. EPCs will also include a summary of your property’s estimated energy costs and recommend cost-effective ways to help make your home more energy efficient and achieve a better rating.
When being rated by an assessor, they will give the property a rating between A and G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least on a colour-coded scale. The rating will also tell you how expensive it will be to heat and light the property and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.
Your home’s EPC rating depends on a few factors. Some of these include carbon dioxide emissions, amount of energy used, potential heat and/or energy loss, the home’s level of insulation, if double glazing is present, and more.
How to Improve Your EPC Rating
When you improve your home’s EPC rating, you will improve your energy efficiency and begin saving money on your energy bills. Here are some of the ways to upgrade your home and raise your EPC rating.
Energy Efficient Lighting
Switching to LED light bulbs, which are eco-friendly and much better at energy efficiency, can lift your EPC rating a few notches and is one of the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency. LEDs are widely available, inexpensive and offer long-term savings on energy bills. They are vastly superior to halogen and incandescent lighting, lasting over ten times longer while consuming 85% less electricity.
Roof and Wall Insulation
Roof/Loft: Loft insulation is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve the EPC rating of your property. Usually made from renewable wood or fibreglass, this helpful insulation helps to create a barrier between the house and the roof. It helps keep heat in and minimises heat from being lost to the outside. An uninsulated roof can easily lose up to 33% of heat through the roof.
Walls: Whether your home has solid or cavity walls, insulating walls can help increase your EPC rating quite a bit. Cavity insulation is the most common type, as most modern homes in the UK have gaps between their walls. Once installed, the insulation can save an average of around £370–£500 for the average home.
Boiler Replacement
An inefficient boiler can be a huge detriment to a home’s energy efficiency. Rreplacing your boiler can increase your EPC rating up to 40 points.
There are also boiler replacement grants that can help homeowners pay for a new boiler if needed, and accredited and approved companies such as Simply Eco Ltd are available to help you see if you qualify.
Double Glazing Windows
One of the best ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce heating costs is to double-glaze your property’s windows. The unique design of double-glazed windows helps to insulate against heat and cold up to four times more effectively than single-glazed windows and doors.
Improvements to windows can also provide significant benefits including increased thermal comfort. Window seals should also be checked periodically to prevent air infiltration and draughts.
How can a good EPC rating benefit me?
When you work on improving your EPC rating, you can expect some positive benefits, such as:
- Lower energy bills. The more you improve your home’s EPC, the less energy consumption will take place, reducing your heating and energy bills.
- Improved property value. If you decide to sell your property, a high EPC rating can also raise the property value.
- Lower mortgage payments. You may be able to get lower mortgage rates through green mortgages.
- Lower your carbon footprint. By increasing your property’s energy efficiency, you will lower your carbon emissions.
Need Help Improving Your EPC With an Upgraded Boiler?
There are many ways to upgrade your property and help to raise your EPC so you can start saving energy and money. For example, if your boiler requires an upgrade and you think you may be eligible for a boiler replacement grant, Simply ECO Ltd can help.
Simply ECO Ltd was established to assist people in fuel poverty to gain access to Carbon Saving and Energy Efficiency Measures. We strive to provide the best customer service in our field, and our excellent customer service record, customer reviews and testimonials reinforce that. Our key services include boiler replacement
