EPC and a gas fire

oldwiring

We are in the very early stages of trying to move to a retirement apartment, and will need to get an EPC for our house.
We have d/glazing (quite old), c/wall and loft insulation fitted 2008, c/h from a gas combi (2013) and new radiators aged about 2 years.

Since the insulation was upgraded hardly ever have we needed to use the gas fire, definitely not in the last three years, so we do not know, if the very expensive battery it needs is working. Becoming less able we would not want to use it anyhow.

Now, by how much will leaving that fire in its current condition affect the EPC? Should we bite the bullet, get a new battery and have the fire checked despite our own lack of use?

Owain_Moneysaver

I don't think the fire working or not will affect the EPC.

Can you light it with a taper?

If it's a really inefficient fire having it removed and the fireplace boarded up would improve the EPC.

tom9980

They wont check if it works or not and my understanding is it wont matter anyway.

G_M

I would not worry. Just search online and get the cheapest EPC you can. They are pretty unscientific anyway.


Be aware that if you go with an estate agent who offers you a 'free' EPC, the small print will almost certainly say it is conditional on you selling through them. So if ou decide later not to sell, or to switch estate agents, then you'll get an (inflated) EPC bill.


Just saying....

kinger101

The chances of it affecting the rating on the EPC are lower than that actual buyer giving a flying f about what the EPC says.

Smodlet

If the gas fire is inefficient or, worse, unsafe, I'd lose it as already suggested.

You could replace it; there are some lovely-looking, very small-but-effective ones available or you could just stick a slab of plywood (tastefully painted, of course) in the gap and a vase of flowers in front of it... Won't make an atom of difference to the EPC as that relates to how energy efficient (or not) the property is as a whole.