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EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
Our homes and work places contribute vastly to the levels of Carbon Dioxide (C02) in the atmosphere. The government has, over the last few years, established a way for homes and buildings to receive an energy rating.
Many people are used to the labels on fridges and washing machines telling us how energy efficient a product is and now the same can be done with our homes.
Up until April 2008 only homes which were being bought and sold were required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which rated the efficiency of the house from A to G. However from October 1st 2008 all buildings which are built, bought, sold or rented need to have an EPC.
The EPC has two parts:
The aim of the EPC is to ensure anyone looking to purchase or rent a home is fully informed about how well the house performs in terms of energy consumption. With continual price increases for fuel and energy, EPC’s are becoming a key factor in buyer’s decision making when considering a new home.
The government is seeking to inform everyone who is moving to a new home, what the likely consumption of energy will be, how efficiently it is used and how the property can be improved.
If a home has an A-C rating the energy efficiency will be of a good standard however there may be additional recommendations which could improve the home. For houses with a D-G rating you will find there are more energy saving and recommended improvements. It is important to consider whether investment in improving the energy rating needs to be factored into the purchase price of the home or rented accommodation.
We work with a number of accredited energy assessors who can carry out EPC’s at competitive rates – please contact us by phone or email for more information.
Download our EPC Advice Leaflet to learn more.
Retrofit
Retrofitting our homes to make them more energy efficient is critical when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and lowering our energy bills.
We have level 3 retrofit advisors who can help with a range of queries - and depending on where you live and your ability to self-invest, can even offer a free retrofit detailed advice call.
Home Energy Check
With net zero targets and higher energy bills It’s important for everyone to be more aware of how we use energy in our daily lives at home. Around 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions come from our households and so with a new focus on how to make our homes more energy efficient we can all help to play our part.
A great starting point is to complete a home energy check. This questionnaire asks you about your home and will assess how much energy you use per year. Once you know how much energy you are using you will be able to see where you can reduce your fuel bills and what action you can take to improve the efficiency of your home.
Check out this Quick Link to the Energy Saving Trust’s home energy check calculator. This will identify the best improvement measures you can make for your home and community and gives approximate costs and savings. It will also show you localexamples of homes that have done the same thing and local contractors who could help you.
Below are just a few things you will need to find out before completing the online/phone home energy check:
· Property Age
· Type of outside walls
· Level of insulation in your loft
· How much double glazing installed
· How many of your lights have low energy bulbs
· Type of heating system and what it is fuelled by (electric, gas, oil etc)
· When the was boiler installed and what type of boiler it is
· Hot water cylinder size (if present)
TrustMark
Trustmark is the only Government endorsed quality scheme for contractors.
TrustMark is driven by several factors, including helping consumers make energy efficiency improvements to their homes and enhancing the protection they can depend on when making such decisions.
TrustMark registered contractors can be found in your local area using the simple contractor locator tool on the right of the TrustMark home page.
Gas Safe
What is Gas Safe?
Gas safe is the official gas registration body for the UK.
It is an industry standard that helps keep you safe in your home.
By law, all gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register. The Gas Safe Register safeguards consumers, tenants, and homeowners from the risks of subpar gas work by reviewing reports of unauthorised or dubious gas work and relaying the information to the Health and Safety Executive. Gas safety involves the inspection and maintenance of gas appliances and equipment in homes and in workplaces to keep workers and the general public safe.
PAS 2035
Simply put, PAS 2035 is a framework to follow for the energy efficiency improvements (retrofit) of domestic buildings. It details best practice guidance for domestic retrofit projects and delivers a ‘whole house’ or ‘whole building’ approach which considers: Occupants and end users Each home individually (including construction).
Government funded grant programmes require contractors and their supply chains to be following the PAS20235 framework principles to ensure work is delivered to the required standard and the consumers interests are represented at all times.
NICEIC
The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is a regulatory organisation for the UK’s electricians. The organisation exists to ensure the safety and quality of electrical work across the country by reviewing the work and competency of its registered contractors.
You can search for a NICEIC certified electrician in your area here.
