Getting an "A" EPC Rating

Screwdriva

After what feels like a 2.5 year journey, our London semi-detached was re-rated with an "A" EPC score. Our surveyor stated this was the first one their company had seen in 17 years and was the only retrofit 30+ year old property in Central London to achieve this rating. Incase there is interest in what it took to achieve, here are the primary contributors:

1) 4kW Solar PV (South Facing)
2) Viessmann 200-W Condensing boiler with weather compensation
3) Underfloor Heating + floor insulation
4) Attic insulation (rolls and in between rafters) 
5) Triple Glazing

An EPC is largely an academic checkbox exercise, with little real world monetary impact (that I know of). That said, it's become clear to us that investing heavily in focussed areas of the home can deliver substantial energy savings on an ongoing basis. These can help offset the upfront costs and potentially translate into an improvement in the value of the asset. 

Our surveyor was genuinely fascinated by our "green" improvements and did her best to find the correct weightage to award. On a side note, I did ask what it would take to achieve a perfect 100 Score. The answer given was two words: Wind Turbine.

paul991

have  you ordered one

Screwdriva

paul991 said:

have  you ordered one

Yes. Thats my rating above.

paul991

wind turbine just  joking think you should be congratulated 
how far away are you from passive house standard

Screwdriva

paul991 said:

wind turbine just  joking think you should be congratulated 
how far away are you from passive house standard

I have experience with and tried to get a micro turbine. Soon discovered I don't own enough land (the distance from the boundary wall must equal the height of the turbine) to quality for the permitted development of a pole mounted turbine. 

Thanks for the kind words. I haven't looked at Passive house (enerPhit for retrofits) but  houses that have achieved this standard in the London area were constructed within the last decade. Perhaps it is something that cannot be applied for and must be designed for?

For now, I'm going to try to put my feet up and enjoy the end result for a bit. 

70sbudgie

Screwdriva said:

paul991 said:

wind turbine just  joking think you should be congratulated 
how far away are you from passive house standard

I actually tried to get a micro turbine but discovered I don't own enough land (the distance from the boundary wall must equal the height of the turbine) to quality for the permitted development of a pole mounted turbine. 

Thanks for the kind words. I haven't looked at Passive house (enerPhit for retrofits) but may consider it one day. For now, I'm going to try to put my feet up and enjoy the end result for a bit. 

Does that still apply for vertical axis wind turbines?

Screwdriva

70sbudgie said:

Does that still apply for vertical axis wind turbines?

Honestly, I'm not sure. If not, I'd be the first to get one as I live in a high wind area.

70sbudgie

Screwdriva said:

70sbudgie said:

Does that still apply for vertical axis wind turbines?

Honestly, I'm not sure. If not, I'd be the first to get one as I live in a high wind area.

It may be that it does still apply, but vertical axis turbines tend not to require so much height - a quick internet search showed one at 9m.

Screwdriva

70sbudgie said:

It may be that it does still apply, but vertical axis turbines tend not to require so much height - a quick internet search showed one at 9m.

Sadly I lack a 10m wide piece of land (central London). Sounds like the only way to try is planning permission.

thevilla

Screwdriva said:

..... as I live in a high wind area.

Westminster?

Screwdriva

thevilla said:

Screwdriva said:

..... as I live in a high wind area.

Westminster?

haha!!!