You have your EPC, what now?
The energy performance certificate is the performance on the structure of the house, and the energy used to condition it. Not how you use it, so if you have got an EPC on your house out of curiosity or when buying a new home, you have decisions to make on what to do with your energy report.
There are real benefits from taking the steps suggested, the environment will benefit from the reduction in carbon dioxide, and your bank balance will benefit from lower fuel bills. A win-win for all concerned. However, do not end it there, there is plenty more that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint; but this article is about the measures on the EPC.
EPC payback period
The payback period of improvements varies depending on what improvements you make and how you live in your home. If you have a relatively good heating system, it may take longer to see any savings; however do not let this put you off, think of it as an investment.
One of the best times to buy expensive items is when you are buying a new house because you will not notice it. The investment comes from the return of day-to-day savings over the lifetime of your ownership of the house in reduced running costs.
EPC Asset ratings
Looking through the EPC, you will see on the asset rating, two numbers; one is the current rating and the second is the potential; the potential is the assumed rating, after taking the measures proposed detailed in the recommendations.
It is important to realise that the figures are not personal to you; they are from a standard set of figures and running costs. There have been plenty of stories from Mr & Mrs Unhappy from Sad Town reporting their disgust at the running costs used on their EPC being completely wrong. The potential savings are similar in that they are from standard figures.
EPC suggested improvements.
When you start to look at what improvement measures you want to take, think through what you are doing and who is going to do it. Recently, an article announced that EPCs were responsible for an increase in the number of burst pipes in lofts. You would think an insurance company would know better.
This brings up a couple of very important points about the EPC itself and the information on it. Make sure that you thoroughly read all the information given on the EPC as it contains extra details, for loft insulation it provides the advice that you should not insulate beneath cold-water tanks but should insulate the sides and top.
So you have decided what to do
You should always do some research for yourself about the work to be carried out; some jobs will require specialist contractors. Make sure that the contractors you use are able to carryout the work and have the experience and tools to do the job. There are several industry specific organisations. Look for these organisations as they give a level of protection to consumers and can provide a degree of backup if things go wrong. Check around for such organisations, and check the organisation out, ask them questions, they should have a list of approved contractors in your area you can use.
Check what other people think of companies, get prepared with a list of questions to ask to test contractors. The internet is a good source of what people think of companies, but remember that you can’t please everyone all of the time. Take a balanced view of the reviews, this is a good place to get questions to ask to try and qualify your choice.
Check that the company has a written complaints procedure, and ask to see it – in writing – read it and ask any quesions to confirm there is a genuine approach to customer service. If they are members of a professional institute, make sure that there is backing and customer redress from them.
