It is a fact that the more energy efficient your property is the lower your energy bills will be and this in turn will become an attractive option for perspective tenants.
A study has recently been performed comparing the costs of energy bills against the EPC energy ratings. And it has been noted that properties with A- & B-rated EPCs had energy bills costing just £1,650 on average (in 3 years).
1,042,075 dwellings across the country received an F- or G-rated EPC making them the least energy efficient houses in England and Wales. Those living within these homes are paying on average £5,743.50 for their energy bills across 3 years – 3.5 times more than those with an A- or B-rated EPC.
Here are five ways you can improve your property’s EPC.
- Upgrade your light bulbs
One easy way to improve energy efficiency is to replace old halogen or incandescent light bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
LEDs have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their combination of efficiency and long-term savings on energy bills and provide a quick and relatively inexpensive way to improve the EPC rating.
- Consider replacing your boiler and installing smart heating controls
Heating systems are the cornerstone of a property’s EPC rating. Depending on the age of the existing boiler, switching to a newer, condensing model can significantly improve your rating.
Pairing this upgrade with smart heating technologies such as intelligent thermostats and connected radiator controls will also allow tenants to save on their heating bills and improve your rating.
By replacing an old boiler that has an appliance rating of ‘G’ with a new A-rated boiler that includes a programmer and thermostat, an annual saving of £305 can be made (based on a detached house).
- Insulate the walls and roof
Loft insulation has long been heralded as the easiest way to improve a property’s energy efficiency, but it is essential to ensure that the insulation material is thick enough to have the optimum effect – the Energy Saving Trust recommends a depth of at least 270mm.
Wall insulation is also an incredibly effective way of improving heat retention. If your property was built in the last 100 years, it is likely to have cavity walls, which have a double external wall and a small gap between which can be filled with insulation.
- Ensure windows are double glazed
There is no point investing in the latest heating and insulation technologies if you neglect the property’s windows.
While having double glazing doesn’t have as much of an impact on the EPC as wall or loft insulation, it reduces the amount of heat lost through the windows.
- Consider investing in renewable energy
If you are looking for a long-term solution, it is worth considering renewable energy sources such as solar panels or ground-source heat pumps. To achieve the highest EPC ratings a property would require some form of renewable energy. By installing solar panels a G-rated, semi-detached house could make a saving of £311 per year.
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Press Contact:
Miss. Claire White
W. Why Media
E. claire@whymedia.com
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