There are numerous different things that you can do to your house in order to improve the EPC rating that it has. Some of the best tips are listed below for you to read, digest, and then action within your own home.
Insulate Your Walls
If there is a cavity in the property’s exterior walls then making sure that they are fully insulated with some sort of insulating material can improve the overall EPC of the property by some 5 to 10 points.
Where there is no cavity on the exterior walls, the option available is to build a solid wall next to it, either internally or externally. Although this is a fairly expensive thing to do, it can actually improve the EPC rating of the property by as much as 10 to 20 points.
Add Double Glazing
Where a property only has single glazing doors and windows, it can be highly beneficial to upgrade these with modern and energy efficient double glazed alternatives.
On average, this will take the EPC rating of a property up by at least several points. If you live in a property that already has double glazed doors and windows but are old, they will still likely be very energy efficient so there is no need to go out and get new ones.
Insulate Your Loft
A cheap and easy way of improving the EPC rating of any property is by adding some form of insulation to the loft cavity – that is providing that you have one in the first place.
Going from a loft space that has no insulation at all to using a 270mm insulation in there can improve the rating from anywhere between 10 and 15 points. Where the space already has insulation, simply topping that up can have the effect of improving the EPC rating by 2 to 5 points.
Cap The Chimney
Although quite minor, an open and draughty chimney breast can actually make a difference to the EPC rating of a property. Where it is possible and the fire place is not in use, you should block the chimney up for good or alternatively put a close heater into the opening instead. This will help to add a few more points to your property’s overall rating.
Improve Your Heating
A property’s heating system is one of the main determinants of an EPC rating and so it is important that it is as efficient as possibly can be. Where there is an old boiler present, you should look to upgrade this for a newer model that works on condensing. Although quite an expensive option, it will work to add anywhere between 5 and 20 points to the overall rating of the property (this varies depending on the age of the old boiler).
To find out more about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), including understanding how the rating system works, visit the Utility Bidder website. Knowing how the system works will provide you with more insight and ideas on how you can make your property more energy efficient.
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