Solar i-boost - ignored for Energy Performance Certificate

[Deleted User]

Curious to know if anyone who has a solar i-boost and has had an EPC done had the i-boost disregarded and what reason may have been given?

My assessor appeared to not know about the i-boost and said he cannot take it into account.

The Certificate issued said we could improve our rating if we heated our water by solar (at a cost of over £4k) - despite the fact that all our water is already heated via the solar and the i-boost.

Meatballs

I wouldn't loose sleep over it, mostly worthless piece of paper unless you are a landlord 

QrizB

Deleted_User said:

Curious to know if anyone who has a solar i-boost and has had an EPC done had the i-boost disregarded and what reason may have been given?
My assessor appeared to not know about the i-boost and said he cannot take it into account.

EPCs seem to be a box-checking exercise. If you have got a featureth at the EPC database recognises, you get credit for it; if you've got a feature it doesn't recognise, you'll ger a "computer says no" response.

Your i-boost seems to fall in the second category.

The Certificate issued said we could improve our rating if we heated our water by solar (at a cost of over £4k) - despite the fact that all our water is already heated via the solar and the i-boost.

As Meatballs says, the practical value of an EPC is limited.

Screwdriva

It can actually help with the sale value of a property. I know I scrutinized our property's EPC before purchasing. 

paul991

a bad EPC can be good as  you  can then  be entitled to to  grants ect so not always a good thing to get it upgraded

ccbrowning

Deleted_User said:

Curious to know if anyone who has a solar i-boost and has had an EPC done had the i-boost disregarded and what reason may have been given?

My assessor appeared to not know about the i-boost and said he cannot take it into account.

The Certificate issued said we could improve our rating if we heated our water by solar (at a cost of over £4k) - despite the fact that all our water is already heated via the solar and the i-boost.

No, it only considers solar thermal. Doesn't consider GSHP and all sorts of other stuff, either. My modern eco home is still not even an A.

70sbudgie

ccbrowning said:

Deleted_User said:

Curious to know if anyone who has a solar i-boost and has had an EPC done had the i-boost disregarded and what reason may have been given?

My assessor appeared to not know about the i-boost and said he cannot take it into account.

The Certificate issued said we could improve our rating if we heated our water by solar (at a cost of over £4k) - despite the fact that all our water is already heated via the solar and the i-boost.

No, it only considers solar thermal. Doesn't consider GSHP and all sorts of other stuff, either. My modern eco home is still not even an A.

When my Dad sold his house, it was rated at D (or maybe even E) because it was built in the 70s. Despite it having ASHP, PV and triple glazing windows. 

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've always felt the EPC is a con designed to relieve people of their money - however - having said that, for property buyers they can check EPCs online and see what actually needs doing - thus giving some possible potential to negotiate over the asking price of the property. Alternatively a property with an excellent rating may command a higher price.

I have now raised this query with ECMK who deal with the accrediting of assessors to see if they can help - only for them to just send it straight to the assessor. It's not a complaint about the assessor but me just wanting to understand why an i-boost is ignored - especially as in my case I am already heating all water by solar - something they recommend on the Certificate!

I'll await the reply.

paul991

the idea of a epc is good but like most things the pen pushers get their hands on ,it only serves the  companies who carry them out
.the last one I had they couldn't identify a  energy efficient lamp