How to Get Your EPC?
How Is an EPC Calculated?
EPC calculation features two main factors:
- Amount of energy used per square metre
- Level of carbon dioxide emissions (in tonnes annually)
It focuses on how energy is used in the house by tracing potential sources of energy loss. Factors such as windows, heating systems, lighting and electrical items are covered by the assessment. Every segment will have a score determined by its current condition and efficiency.
The government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) divides the overall score into 7 bands as following:
- EPC rating A = 92-100 SAP points (Green)
- EPC rating B = 81-91 SAP points (Green)
- EPC rating C = 69-80 SAP points (Green)
- EPC rating D = 55-68 SAP points (Yellow)
- EPC rating E = 39-54 SAP points (Amber)
- EPC rating F = 21-38 SAP points (Orange)
- EPC rating G = 1-20 SAP points (Red)
Ways to Calculate an EPC
There are two ways to calculate your EPC:
- through an approved online energy calculator software
- through a certified EPC assessor
An online energy calculator isn’t a comprehensive assessment but only gives a rough guide. For example some people don’t know if their walls are cavity walls or solid walls which can lead to inaccurate information being entered into the calculator and receiving the wrong advice.
However, these issues can all be avoided with a trained and certified domestic EPC assessor as she/he will be able to tailor the assessment to the building and pick up on things that calculators, or homeowners can miss.
Here at Housebuild we have a vast experienced EPC assessor pool that you can trust. Access here.
Approved Online EPC Softwares
Regulation 24 of the Building Regulations 2010 requires all software that is used to assess the energy performance of buildings must be validated and approved by the Secretary of State for calculating the energy performance of buildings, to ensure that it operates in a manner, and to a standard, consistent with the National Calculation Methodology (NCM). See a list of currently approved softwares here.
Information to Give to a domestic EPC assessor
It is very important to provide as much information as possible to your assessor for a comprehensive assessment. The information includes:
- Your MPRN number - found on an electricity bill, and your Post Code
- Details of previous EPC assessments (where relevant)
- Information regarding the year the house was built, any drawings, plans or specifications of the house, and the age of any extensions added to the house (where relevant). If you don’t have this information, you can check planning records in your local authority or on a planning search online.
- Details of any upgrade works done to the house if any have been undertaken. The appropriate certification should be provided from the contractor and confirmations of all products installed e.g. insulation in walls, new windows etc.
- Details on the make and model of your boiler and/or other heat sources. (e.g. you should be able to find this information on the side of your boiler)
- Certification information for windows and doors – if you have this information to hand. (e.g. for windows, certification information should include the made, model, glazing, u-value and solar transmittance values)
- Results of any air tightness tests completed