Is your home as energy-efficient as possible?

Last April, a significant 54% increase in the energy price cap led to a substantial rise in household energy bills. This increase meant the average home saw yearly energy costs jump from £1,300 to £3,000.

By October, another rise in the price cap led to an additional increase, with the average household’s energy bills nearing £3,000. The start of 2023 saw yet another increase in the energy price cap, reaching an annual level of £4,279 for an average dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, based on typical usage.

MAKING SOME IMPROVEMENTS

With these increases in mind, ensuring your home is as energy-efficient as possible is more crucial than ever. Whether you plan to sell, rent or stay put, making some improvements now could save you hundreds of pounds in the long run.

A good Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is more important than ever. An EPC rating is essentially a review of a property’s energy efficiency. It is a mandatory requirement when selling or renting out homes. This certificate remains valid for a decade.

ATTRACTIVE TO BUYERS AND RENTERS

An EPC certificate grades a property’s energy performance on a scale ranging from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least. A property with an EPC rating of C or above is generally considered good. At the same time, the average home in the UK has a rating of D.

New-build homes usually have higher scores as they are approximately 60% more energy efficient than older homes. Higher EPC-rated buildings are more attractive to buyers and renters due to their lower running costs, particularly amidst soaring energy costs. By the end of 2025, landlords must ensure that their rented properties have an EPC rating of C or above.

The EPC rating of any property listed for sale or rent can be found on the respective listings pages or through the government’s website for properties not currently on the market.

CURRENT AND POTENTIAL COSTS

An EPC rating is determined by a government-approved energy assessor who evaluates the energy consumption per square metre and the amount of carbon dioxide the home produces. The assessment includes a measured survey of the property, examining the lighting, heating and hot water systems.

The resulting certificate outlines the current costs and the potential costs of running the home if energy-saving improvements recommended by the assessor are implemented. It also provides the property’s overall rating from grades A to G.

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR EPC RATING

Improving your EPC rating can involve several steps, including:

• Using energy-efficient light bulbs, which can reduce lighting costs by up to 90%
• Insulating your loft, preventing up to 25% of your heating from escaping through the roof
• Considering cavity wall insulation to stop 35% of your heating from leaving your home
• Replacing your old boiler with an energy-efficient one, drastically decreasing fuel bills
• Investing in double or triple-glazed windows
• Sealing draughty parts of the house, such as floorboards, windows and the front door
• Using an environmentally friendly air/ ground source heat pump

UPDATING YOUR EPC RATING AFTER HOME IMPROVEMENTS

If you’ve improved your home and wish to reassess its EPC rating, you can book an assessor through the government’s website if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. The process varies for those residing in Scotland.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR IMPROVING YOUR EPC RATING

There are financial aid options available to improve your EPC rating. For instance, under the Energy Company Obligation scheme, energy companies will cover the cost of insulation, glazing and even new boilers for people claiming certain benefits.

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers property owners £5,000 towards buying and installing an air source heat pump or biomass boiler. Grants averaging £10,000 are also available for certain households to improve energy efficiency under the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme.

Don’t forget, our professional friendly advisers are on hand to support you and can help you explore all of your options.