EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) improvements play a pivotal role in enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings. These upgrades are aimed at increasing a building’s overall energy performance, thereby lowering energy consumption and environmental impact. EPC D rating, on the other hand, signifies a moderate level of energy efficiency. Achieving EPC improvements and elevating a property’s rating can involve various measures, such as insulation, energy-efficient windows, renewable energy installations, and better heating systems. These improvements not only help reduce energy bills but also contribute to environmental sustainability, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and promote more eco-friendly buildings.
EPC Improvements with a Solar PV System
Installing a solar PV system on your property is a very effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. After all, what better way to become “greener” than by generating, using and also feeding your self-generated electricity into the national grid? It is, however a widely accepted fact that a lot of people choose to invest in a solar PV system as a means to generate a rather tidy profit for themselves. This profit is achieved by using self-generated energy and the feed-in tariff.
To qualify for the higher feed-in tariff, a solar PV customer would need to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate with an EPC D rating or above. This gives a good indication that some of the energy generated through a solar PV system stands a decent chance of being fed back into the national grid rather than being lost through poorly insulated lofts, cavity walls left uninsulated and a lack of double glazing in the property.
EPC Improvements to Secure an EPC D Rating
There are several EPC improvements you can take to maximise your chances of securing an EPC D rating on your Energy Performance Certificate. These include the following:
- Make sure your windows are equipped with double glazing.
- Make sure your loft and cavity walls are insulated to a decent standard.
- Make sure your boiler is efficient and well-maintained.
- Make sure your radiators are sufficiently bled.
- Use energy-efficient lightbulbs wherever possible.
- Don’t use LPG
- Don’t use electric storage heaters.
Taking the above EPC improvements will all contribute toward achieving the magical EPC D rating. This allows the customer to take advantage of the higher feed-in tariff rate and therefore be more profitable than a customer who wasn’t fortunate enough to get an EPC D rating.
It is also worth noting that having solar panels can and will contribute to an EPC score should the customer want to have the assessment after the panels are installed.
