Energy Efficiency Rating. Can you extend potential ratings?

drunkmonkey

Hi all,

This is likely a silly question but we are looking into buying a property but the energy efficiency rating is very low (F rated) and has the potential to read 54 (E rated) which is still quite low.

Does anyone know if it's possible to extend beyond that - would it be possible to extend to a rating of C for example?

footyguy

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Hi all,

This is likely a silly question but we are looking into buying a property but the energy efficiency rating is very low (F rated) and has the potential to read 54 (E rated) which is still quite low.

Does anyone know if it's possible to extend beyond that - would it be possible to extend to a rating of C for example?

As I understand it, the energy performance certificate indicates a number of typical options (not currently included within the property) which if adopted gives you the potential rating.
These proposed options give you the estimated cost and pay-back period if implemented.

I suppose if you have some other options under consideration as well, these may improve the potential rating further still, but what are they (some may be included within the alternative measures), what will they cost and what is the pay-back period?

matelodave

Yes although it can depend on how far you are prepared to go.

Our bungalow had an original Energy performance of 32 (G) with a potential of 41 (F) before we had a go at it.

We added insulation to the loft installed a heatpump instead of storage heaters and it's now a 66 (D).

We could have squeezed it to a 69 (C) by replacing our existing double glazing with the latest spec (cost about £5k).

The place now has a potential of 84(B) if we want to tear up the floor to insulate it and install solar water heating on the roof and fit a shower heat recovery system (can't because it's a bungalow - a fact which seem to escape the assessor)

However As I only spend about £150 a year to heat my hot water, paying out their predicted £4-5k for solar water heating to save a suggested £85 a year doesn't seem like good sense to me.
Likewise tearing up the floor to insulate under it would cost significantly more more than their prediction of £1000 (I'd already considered it) and I seriously doubt that save their estimated £120 a year either - we only pay about £350-£400 a year to heat the place.

So you need to be a bit pragmatic about what's worthwhile and cost effective as the laws of diminishing returns take over and it costs a lot more just to save a little more.

Cisco001

Insulation on roof/ between cavity wall?

Smiley_Dan

The sky is the limit! But unfortunately not for your wallet.

Be warned, sometimes recommendations in EPCs are a bit optimistic - floor insulation is often way under estimated as to cost.

drunkmonkey

Thanks very much guys! That's what I was hoping to hear @ matelodave - fantastic job