As the UK gears towards a more sustainable future, housing is a topic high on the agenda. Green features are a rising trend for both renters and Landlords, as savings on rising energy costs and protection against policy changes works in the best interests of both parties.
As a homeowner or a Landlord, one of the best ways to future-proof your home is to improve your EPC rating. An EPC rating (Energy Performance Certificate) tells you how energy efficient your household is, whilst also providing a ‘potential’ rating for where it could be. Though the minimum EPC rating for lettings is currently an ‘E’, this may be on the cards to rise to ‘C’ by 2025. By taking some of the quick and easy measures below, you can stay ahead of the curve.
Loft and wall insulation
With 25-30% of your heating lost through your roof, loft insulation should be your first port of call. Though it may seem expensive for something you can’t really see, the benefits far outweigh the cost, and may save you from a lower EPC score.
With a minimum of 270mm of board or wool in your roof, you can expect to see an instant improvement in energy efficiency. One of the best parts about this alteration is that it can be carried out with Tenants still inside the property, so you won’t need to worry about an empty premises and your Tenants keep peace of mind that they won’t need to vacate the home.
Double Glazing
One of the best steps you can take towards an energy efficient home is by double, or triple, glazing your windows. If you are already thinking about making improvements to your home, this should be the first. By double glazing all the windows in your home, you can improve your EPC rating by five to ten points, which could push you from an E to a D rating. Though triple glazing is becoming more popular, it is only a slight improvement from double, and some will argue isn’t as cost-effective.
Smart Meter
A smart meter is a simple, yet effective, addition to any home and is on the rise in popularity. A small device that fits onto your wall – this tells occupants how much energy they are using throughout the month.
Though it won’t actually improve your energy efficiency, a smart meter helps you understand usage habits to make small changes over time and decrease energy bills. Plus, if your Tenants feel happier with the money they are saving on bills, this may increase the likelihood of them wanting to stay within your property on a longer-term basis.
New boiler
Undoubtedly one of the priciest of EPC improvement measures, installing a new boiler will drastically improve the efficiency of your property, as well as raising its value.
A Green Homes Grant, however, can cover a third of any energy efficiency improvements up to £5000, making it a much less daunting option. Though installing a new boiler seems like a strong measure, a new, A-rated boiler can increase your EPC score by up to 40 points, making it one of the quickest ways to move up into a new band.
LED lights
Moving from the most expensive, to the cheapest option by far, changing all your existing light bulbs to LED should be first on your list. It won’t move you up a band if you’re starting at the bottom, but the long-term sustainability and money-saving benefits are a no-brainer. Easy to do within a day, there’s no reason not to make this change as soon as you can.
Raising your EPC rating is not only beneficial for the environment, but also the efficiency of your own home. When buying or renovating a property for letting, Landlords are investing in their future. However, if you let your home fall behind on energy efficiency, this will not only affect your Tenants, but eventually the ability to even rent your property out.
How Marsh & Parsons can help provide an EPC
Marsh & Parsons use accredited DEA’s (Domestic Energy Assessors) who are registered with the appropriate accreditation scheme. Using all resources at our expense, we can give you an accurate EPC rating, as well as a potential EPC rating, to showcase your property’s environmental status.
If you are intending to sell or let your property through Marsh & Parsons and require an EPC, then we will happily arrange this for you – your local sales or rentals team will be able to provide you with full details.
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