How an EPC can help you save money on your energy bill

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  • 2023
  • January
  • 27
  • How an EPC can help you save money on your energy bill
How an EPC can help you save money on your energy bill

Having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement for renting out or selling any domestic or commercial property in the UK. The EPC rating informs potential buyers and tenants about how energy efficient a property is, giving them a rough idea of the likely energy costs.

As well as confirming the current energy efficiency rating of a property, an EPC is a valuable tool for identifying low-cost ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home. So it’s a popular option for people looking to reduce their energy bills, even if they don’t immediately plan on selling or renting out their home.

Alongside an EPC rating, your energy assessor will provide a breakdown of cost-effective upgrades that can help you to improve the energy efficiency of the property, and increase your EPC rating. Following these recommendations will also help you to save money on your energy bills.

Frequent suggestions made during an EPC assessment

Here are a few of the most frequent upgrades that are suggested to reduce energy bills and increase energy efficiency after an EPC assessment.

Upgrade your boiler

One of the most common recommendations from an EPC is to replace your boiler. If your boiler is over 10 years old, it’s likely to be much less energy efficient than newer models. Replacing your boiler with a newer, more energy efficient model can save you hundreds of pounds per year on your energy bills – so although it’s a significant upfront cost, it can pay back quickly. 

Some of the most energy efficient boilers on the market include the Worcester Bosch Greenstar and the Vaillant ecoTEC ranges. These boilers have been designed to use less energy and produce fewer emissions, making them both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Need a handy fitting your new boiler? Get a quote from our experienced local gas & heating engineers.

Install or upgrade your wall & loft insulation

EPCs often recommend an update to wall cavity, loft and roof insulation. Thicker and more effective insulation can help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, leading to significant energy savings. 

Insulate your hot water cylinder

Have you got a hot water cylinder hiding in a cupboard somewhere in your home? If so, you should definitely invest in an insulating jacket for it. If you already have a jacket, double-check the thickness (it should be at least 8cm thick) & check the condition to make sure there are no tears.

If the jacket is too thin or is damaged, it won’t be insulating the cylinder as effectively as it could be. So it’s time to replace it. Don’t worry though, this can be done for as little as £20. This small change will keep the water inside hot for longer, which will save you energy in the long run.

Upgrade your lighting

Replacing your traditional light bulbs with energy efficient LED or CFL bulbs can save you money on your energy bills and help to boost your EPC rating. These bulbs use less energy and last longer, which also means that you won't need to replace them as often. Need a hand fitting new lights? Our local electricians can help you to upgrade your lights any time.

Check that all of your windows are double glazed

If your windows are single-glazed, they’re likely to be letting a lot of heat escape from your home. And this means that you’re wasting energy heating a home that simply won’t stay hot. Making sure that all of your windows are double-glazed is one of the most straightforward ways to improve energy efficiency.

And upgrading to double-glazed windows won’t just keep your home warm in the winter months - it’ll also help to regulate the temperature and keep rooms cooler during the summer. 

Get a smart thermostat fitted

Getting a smart thermostat is another suggestion that is often made in an EPC. This will help you to see how much energy you're using and adjust your heating and cooling accordingly - even when you’re on the move.

A smart thermostat can be controlled remotely, which means that you can adjust your heating and cooling even when you're not at home.

Is it worth it to invest in the energy efficiency of my home?

Your EPC report will focus on energy efficiency recommendations that are cost-effective. So most of the frequent suggestions that are listed above should pay back within a few years through reduced energy bills.

In the slightly longer-term, increased focus on energy efficiency has seen the government set a target to improve all properties’ EPC rating to at least a C by 2035. So it’s likely that you’ll need to invest in these improvements at some point in the not-so-distant future anyway.

As well as saving on your energy bill and future-proofing your property, having a better EPC rating will make it much easier to rent out or sell your home for what it’s actually worth. This is because tenants and prospective buyers will be confident that the energy costs to run the property will be as low as possible. A poor EPC rating will be used as a reason to offer below-market value on a property - as prospective buyers know that energy bills will be high, and they’ll likely need to invest in improving the energy efficiency of the property themselves.

Don’t take our word for it. The estate agent Knight Frank recently surveyed clients & analysed house price data to determine the real effect on the market and house prices. They found that movers are becoming increasingly conscious of energy efficiency. They also found that house prices benefitted significantly from an upgrade to their EPC rating.

Where can I find an EPC energy assessor near me?

We’ve got experienced, vetted local energy assessors available throughout London & the South East. Just pop in your details here, tell us about your home, and we’ll show you an instant price. Pay to secure your slot, and we’ll send a local energy assessor to provide you with an EPC. 

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