The demand for renewable systems is higher than ever, with 260,000 low-carbon technologies installed in the UK in 2024. This figure covers both UK home installs and businesses, and one of the reasons for these installs is to improve EPC ratings. This is a phrase that is often used, but can usually be confusing. Today, we will be breaking down frequently asked questions about EPC ratings for anyone to understand.
What are EPCs?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) tell you how energy efficient a property is. The system is rated on a scale of A (being very efficient) to G (not efficient), giving a good indication to people how costly the house will be to run. EPCs are not to be confused with energy ratings. This is easily done, but they are the coloured labels found on new home appliances. Be sure to check the date your EPC was issued, as they are only valid for 10 years.
What to expect with your EPC
When you receive an EPC for a property, it will tell you a few specific things about the property. It will tell you a range of cost-effective actions to improve your EPC rating. This could range from installing heat pumps or even getting a solar PV system. This rating isn’t just limited to homeowners, as those who rent properties can improve their EPC rating by switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and other energy-efficient appliances. Not only this, but it will also tell you what the EPC rating could become if you made these changes. This is huge for homeowners as they aren’t going through trial and error to get an A rating.
What are the benefits of having an EPC?
Do you want to save money on your energy bills? If you answered “yes” that is the correct answer! Having an EPC identifies the weak points in your home’s energy efficiency. Fixing these weak points will create a more sustainable home, leading to savings on your home energy bills. EPCs have been a legal requirement for those wanting to sell their homes (or rent their property) since 2008, and must come from an approved domestic energy assessor.
How to get your EPC?
As we’ve mentioned earlier, you can only get your EPC from an approved domestic energy assessor. This ensures you get a trusted and accurate result so that you can start to make energy-efficient changes. EPC pricing can vary based on a few factors, often location, number of rooms and the type of house. It will cost from £60 to £120, which is a small amount to pay compared to the £200 penalty charge given if you’re found selling or renting a property without one.
We hope that this article has helped you understand the basics of EPCs so that you can start looking at creating an improved energy-efficient home. If you’re looking to install energy-efficient systems such as heat pumps, solar PV, or battery storage, then get in touch with us today. We work with you to find the best match for your home. Want to see the sort of work we do for yourself? Check out some of our renewables projects from start to finish on our YouTube channel here.
