The Government has announced significant changes to the EPC methodology
Since EPCs were first introduced in 2007, there have been several changes made to the way that the Certificates are calculated and produced. This is because of continuing research about the way that buildings gain and lose heat, how residents heat their home and new technologies.
This means that the surveys will take longer as more data is collected. It will also take longer to process this information and produce the Certificate.
• Pitched roof insulation for older properties. Many EPCs currently state ‘Pitched roof – no insulation (assumed)’. This occurs when there is no access to a loft, or it is boarded over and so it is not possible to see what insulation is present. For older properties, we must assume there is no insulation. The Building Research Establishment has found that pitched roofs are more likely that not to be insulated. Under the new Conventions the assessor will now assume that there is at least 100mm of insulation. This could significantly increase the EPC rating.
• Windows – Every window in a property will now be individually measured and the orientation noted. Each window will have to be individually inputted into the EPC software. Changes to how windows are assessed will mean that the inspections will take longer and the amount of time it takes to produce the Certificate will also increase. This is especially the case with highly glazed properties. A property with predominantly south facing windows will benefit from this change.
• Mechanical Ventilation – Newer buildings are very airtight and so mechanical ventilation systems help to prevent the air inside a property from becoming stale. They also reduce the risk of mould growth and damp. These will now be considered in greater detail. There are different types of system, such as whole property and heat recovery systems. These will reduce the rating as they use a lot of electricity (as they need to be working constantly).
• Other heat losses – now these are restricted to heat losses through walls, roofs, windows and open chimneys. The new rules will take account of all heat losses through all chimneys (even if they are blocked), extractor fans in bathrooms, kitchens and toilets, air bricks and vents in windows. Again, this may reduce ratings.
• Lighting – now the assessment simply counts the number of standard and low energy lighting. The new Conventions will mean that the type of low energy lighting will need to be counted. The two main types of low energy lighting are compact fluorescent and LED. Old style fluorescent lighting (normally found in kitchens) is no longer classified as low energy.
New technologies – the EPC will now take account of new technologies, such as battery storage.
Effects of these changes
The most significant change that affects the rating regards assuming insulation to pitched roofs. Many older properties do not have access to all lofts. If you have properties that are currently a mid to high-D rating and has the description ‘pitched roof - no insulation – assumed’, then these could increase to the C band with the new Conventions.
Other changes regarding heat losses may slightly reduce the rating as we will be measuring more heat losses than we currently do.
If you have any questions regarding your current EPC please do not hesitate to contact us.
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