Wednesday, 26th June

Contest an EPC and improve your home’s energy rating

If you feel that your energy rating is lower than it should be due to an error, contest the EPC with your assessor

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an official document that provides a property’s energy efficiency rating, using a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It is a legal requirement in the UK to have an EPC dated within the last 10 years when selling, renting, or building properties. A certificate for a residential property includes details such as current and potential energy ratings, estimated energy costs, and recommendations for improvements. EPC are obtained through an accredited assessor. They are available to view through the UK gov portal.

Beyond the Slop: What’s the real deal with EPCs?

An EPC is a document that confuses homeowners and irritates building professionals in equal measure. As a general rule there are very few things in life that can be accurately illustrated with a big colourful pre-school block chart, and energy performance is no exception.

An EPC does not record the actual thermal performance of your home. It is a blunt but broadly useful tool that can help you understand the relative performance of houses that you may be looking to buy or rent. You should not base important decisions on either the rating or the recommendations: some of the calculations may be based on SAP defaults or assumptions which may be inaccurate or incomplete, and some important metrics are not considered, including occupancy and actual energy use.

Why is the energy rating important?

• Higher house prices for better energy ratings. There is evidence in the UK that EPC ratings can affect house prices, particularly when the homeowner intends to stay in their property over a longer period of time.
• Common for new build houses to be advertised on the basis of their energy rating. Developers will use EPC ratings as a marketing tool and as a benchmark for the energy efficiency of their new build properties. It is worth repeating here: ratings aren’t an accurate reflection of the energy efficiency or cost of running a dwelling once built. Every year we inspect dozens of properties where there is a demonstrable deviation between the benchmark and the actual energy performance of a new build. This phenomenon is so common it has as a name in the industry, the ‘performance gap’.
• It is illegal to let flats with low energy ratings. Since April 1, 2020, it is unlawful for landlords to let or continue letting properties with an EPC rating below E. Dwellings with an EPC rating of F or G are considered sub-standard and cannot be legally let without an exemption.
• A high energy rating can reduce insurance costs. Insurance companies might use EPC ratings to assess risk and determine premiums, particularly for properties prone to high energy consumption.

I think my energy rating is wrong

“Most participants (eight out of 11) told us their EPC did not appear to be accurate – they said the descriptions of key aspects of their home, such as windows, roofs and heating systems, were incorrect.” (Which investigation: The problem with Energy Performance Certificates, 18 June 2024)

The assessor has a duty to get the assessment right, and it is reasonable for you to expect the EPC to be free of errors and as accurate as possible. It can be worth pushing back if you suspect that your property was awarded a lower energy rating than it deserves.

In the event that errors are found, a new EPC will be issued and the information on the register will be amended free of charge. Alternatively, you may be offered a re-assessment.

How to contest an EPC

The most common reason for contesting an EPC is that the assessor has mis-described an element of the building fabric: this can result in a lower energy rating.

1. Contact the original assessor and explain the issues
2. If the assessor doesn’t respond or resolve the issue, contact their accreditation scheme (details are listed on the EPC). The accreditation scheme is legally obliged to investigate the complaint and act if necessary. If the issue still can’t be resolved, the accreditation scheme should refer the matter to an independent third party for adjudication.
3. Support your claim with evidence. You will need to provide documentary evidence to support your claim. This can include invoices for energy efficiency improvements, building specifications or a surveyor’s report.

The EPC describes the roof as uninsulated (see highlight). The thermal image illustrates no gaps in the continuity of insulation – in other words insulation is present throughout. And not just in this room.

How can Thermalume Services Limited help

Thermal imaging is often associated with fault finding. However, it has an under-utilised super-power: it can illustrate good construction, like the presence of insulation or other construction details. We can collect evidence quickly, cheaply and non-destructively and provide you with a professional report to support your claim.