Energy Performance Rating certificates (EPC)

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Fof, Feb 25, 2024.

  1. Fof

    Fof Gardener

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2022
    Messages:
    209
    Location:
    Far west Cornwall
    Ratings:
    +220
    Edit. Title amended from Environmental to Energy

    At some point, all properties, in UK, will need one of these.
    I wonder how many people have actually considered the reality of them?
    I purchased my property, in 2021, and it had an EPC rating of D.
    The house was built late '70s with a small bore central heating system driven from a coal stove, with back boiler. The stove's sealing was abysmal and it could only be described as a carbon monoxide generator. The gravity fed hot water tank and lagging were original.
    Not wishing to demolish and rebuild the chimney breast to replace the back boiler, I had the stove, the radiators, tank, pump, etc. ripped out, and replaced with a modern wood burner, and a new high efficiency, pressurised hot water system.
    I also installed a solar system, with battery storage, an extra 300mm of loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and electric heating in the main living area.
    The difference to the ambience has been quite noticeable.
    A few days ago, I decided to have an assessment done, and a new EPC issued.
    Well, it arrived yesterday.
    My new EPC rating is still D.

    :poo::poo::poo:
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
      Last edited: Feb 25, 2024
    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

      Joined:
      Jan 9, 2005
      Messages:
      51,038
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Mid Kent
      Ratings:
      +93,735
      Never heard of it, so what is D, is that good, bad or indifferent?
       
    • Fof

      Fof Gardener

      Joined:
      Oct 23, 2022
      Messages:
      209
      Location:
      Far west Cornwall
      Ratings:
      +220
      @pete - If you sell or rent out a property, you legally have to have a valid EPC (they last 10yrs)
      They go from A to G with G being the poorest.
      To rent a property, it must have a minimum rating of D. To sell, you just need a valid certificate.
       
      • Informative Informative x 1
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

        Joined:
        Jun 3, 2008
        Messages:
        32,371
        Gender:
        Male
        Location:
        Surrey
        Ratings:
        +49,763
        @pete
        Home EPCs are similar to the energy ratings on white goods these days, this is ours

        Screenshot_20240225-132647_Chrome.jpg

        The average is D. Our EPC was done before we had loft insulation and a new condensing boiler fitted which should take us to B. To get A would have meant getting a Heat Pump instead of a boiler but it just didn't stack up financially or space wise for us.
         
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Informative Informative x 1
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          32,371
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +49,763
          Sounds like your original EPC was too optimistic @Fof did you use the same surveying company?
           
        • Fof

          Fof Gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 23, 2022
          Messages:
          209
          Location:
          Far west Cornwall
          Ratings:
          +220
          @JWK
          No I didn't, as I anticipated a consistent set of criteria.
          According to my cert., to improve my score, I would need to install night storage radiators on Ecomony 7 (NB. The government stated in 2023 that Economy 7 is to be phased out), insulate the the concrete slab, and change the hot water from mains to a dedicated solar hot water system (in the UK that would mean for >1/2 year you would have no hot water)
           
          • Informative Informative x 1
          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

            Joined:
            Jan 9, 2005
            Messages:
            51,038
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Retired
            Location:
            Mid Kent
            Ratings:
            +93,735
            Surely given the money to spend we could all be potentially A rated.
            Just looks like more unrealistic red tape to me that is probably making some pen pusher lots of money.
             
            • Agree Agree x 2
            • Fof

              Fof Gardener

              Joined:
              Oct 23, 2022
              Messages:
              209
              Location:
              Far west Cornwall
              Ratings:
              +220
              I suspect that each of the numerous accreditation agencies have their own set of criteria.
              As you say, pete, just another load of bureaucratic BS.
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Victoria

                Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

                Joined:
                Jun 9, 2006
                Messages:
                31,434
                Occupation:
                Lady of Leisure
                Location:
                Messines, Algarve
                Ratings:
                +56,046
                We have to have them here to sell now.
                 
                • Informative Informative x 1
                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

                  Joined:
                  Jun 3, 2008
                  Messages:
                  32,371
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Surrey
                  Ratings:
                  +49,763
                  I understand those cheap surveys associated with house selling are just drive-bys I don't think they will be accurate. The surveyor we had spent 4 hours measuring everything including door gaps with a special tool.
                   
                • Victoria

                  Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

                  Joined:
                  Jun 9, 2006
                  Messages:
                  31,434
                  Occupation:
                  Lady of Leisure
                  Location:
                  Messines, Algarve
                  Ratings:
                  +56,046
                  They are pretty thorough here and have been doing it for years.
                   
                Loading...

                Share This Page

                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                  Dismiss Notice