Energy Efficieny Rating - is E bad?

dllive

Ive seen a property I like and have had my offer accepted. The Energy Efficiency Rating is E (with potential of D) and Environment Impact of E (potential E). Is this bad? What ramifications do these 2 stats have? Do they just show that it will cost more to heat the place or does it indicate anything more serious?
Thanks

Hammyman

It just means it'll cost more to heat it and having a potential of D, you may be restricted in what you can do to improve that such as not being able to put cavity wall insulation in because the gap isn't there or not wide enough.

StuHolmes

I don't think E is bad.

The house I've just bought has a rating of G with a score of 1! :eek:

Radiantsoul

I have no idea what the energy scores really mean. I mean I am aware that A is good and G is bad. But how much more does a G rated home cost more than an A rate home?

lee636

Do you have the full report that accompanies the ratings page? There are a number of points that would be explained in depth that would help you.

The main issues that give it such a low rate could be to do with the property construction, whether it has central heating, an old boiler, lack of double glazing etc.

sonastin

If the property is anything other than completely bog-standard, the assumptions that the assessor has to make when calculating the rating are often so restrictive that it really is only a vaguely indicative score anyway. There is often quite a lot more that can be done to improve the efficiency of the property but the assumption is that its not cost effective. If energy prices rise, they become more worthwhile so you're not completely stuck with an inefficient house - but it might take a bit of investment if you are really keen on going green / keeping the heating bills down.

I wouldn't worry about it too much if it is a place you love.

tbs624

D/E is apparently the "average" rating in England.

The stupidity of these EPCs is that even things like there being energy saving bulbs present at the time of the "survey" makes a difference to the rating and yet it's a temporary measure: a LL or OO is under no obligation to keep similar bulbs in place the minute the inspection/survey has been completed.

If you want to get a rough idea about the potential utility bills just ask the vendor to show you theirs - most are happy to do so.

dizziblonde

tbs624 wrote: »

D/E is apparently the "average" rating in England.

The stupidity of these EPCs is that even things like there being energy saving bulbs present at the time of the "survey" makes a difference to the rating ...

And is it wrong of me when looking around viewing I thought "cooooorrrrr proper lightbulbs" ?

lee636

dizziblonde wrote: »

And is it wrong of me when looking around viewing I thought "cooooorrrrr proper lightbulbs" ?

'Look at the big round ends on them, none of that curly rubbish!'.....

Owain_Moneysaver

dizziblonde wrote: »

And is it wrong of me when looking around viewing I thought "cooooorrrrr proper lightbulbs" ?

"Will you be leaving the lightbulbs?"

olly300

dllive wrote: »

The Energy Efficiency Rating is E (with potential of D) and Environment Impact of E (potential E). Is this bad? What ramifications do these 2 stats have?

Means the house is old.

It tends to be only new houses that have a rating of A.

dllive wrote: »

Do they just show that it will cost more to heat the place or does it indicate anything more serious?

Means you can't have all the insulation measures of new houses i.e. cavity wall.

On the plus side you have decent sized windows and very likely decent sized rooms.

You need to remember the majority of house buyers in the UK tend to prefer old buildings.