EPC certificate accuracy

lydriver

are the 'estimated energy cost for 3 years' a good indication of actual cost?

I'm looking at flats in Glasgow, there is as much difference as £1000 a year in costs of older tenements vs more modern builds, that's a lot of money over the life of a mortgage!
the suggested improvements like new boiler, insulation etc are usually little return for the initial outlay too

mchale

EPC's about as much use as chocolate teacup's

G_M

The best way to save energy (and help the environment) is to reduce your use of toilet paper.

EPCs are great for doing that.

lydriver

in what way though?
do they exaggerate how much extra an old place will cost to heat?
do they take in to account if the rooms get lots of sun or anything like that?

G_M

lydriver wrote: »

in what way though?
by substituting the paper EPC for the toilet paper.

do they exaggerate how much extra an old place will cost to heat?
not deliberately, I'm sure, but it's such an inaccurate estimate as to be worthless.

do they take in to account if the rooms get lots of sun or anything like that?

:rotfl:

Sorry - no, they don't allow for sunshine. They have a computer with fixed Qs. They make rough guesses about the answers. The computer churns out results.

chris_m

lydriver wrote: »

do they take in to account if the rooms get lots of sun or anything like that?

Lots of sun? In Glasgow?

[Deleted User]

An EPC for this house was ridiculous. No insulation in the loft except for one small area.., was noted as existing. Photo taken of that one area sent to me when I challenged it because my kids couldn't sleep in their bedrooms, it was so cold.

It seemed like for the rest of it they'd spent 2 mins asking the LL questions, filled in check boxes and not looked at anything.

So learned how accurate EPCs are the hard way. Will use my eyes to check a house next time, not a piece of paper lol.

lonestar1

according to the epc my flat has storage heaters. In reality its had panel heaters all its life

davidmcn

lydriver wrote: »

are the 'estimated energy cost for 3 years' a good indication of actual cost?

I'm looking at flats in Glasgow, there is as much difference as £1000 a year in costs of older tenements vs more modern builds, that's a lot of money over the life of a mortgage!

However inaccurate they are, it's fair to say that there will be a big difference in energy costs - large rooms, 11 foot high ceilings and Victorian sash windows will take a lot of heating before you feel the benefit.

G_M

davidmcn wrote: »

However inaccurate they are, it's fair to say that there will be a big difference in energy costs - large rooms, 11 foot high ceilings and Victorian sash windows will take a lot of heating before you feel the benefit.

and you don't need an epc to come to that conclusion!