With energy prices increasing and sustainable energy alternatives the talk of the town we thought it would be a good chance to a quick recap on EPCs– what are they, do you need one as a landlord and how you can improve your rating.

What are they

 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) tell you how energy efficient a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). They’ll tell you how costly it will be to heat and light your property, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.

How long are they valid for?

10 years

Why get one?

Your property’s EPC needs to be available to potential buyers as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent

What’s the performance page for?

Your ‘performance’ page gives you a detailed breakdown of each element of your property, with a description and an energy rating from one to five stars (with five being the best) to help you understand the effectiveness of its construction, heating and hot water system, and lighting. This can be especially useful for comparing with other properties when you’re looking to buy or rent.

Got any practical advise on how I can improve my rating?

Here are 6 areas to start thinking about…

  1. Use energy efficient light bulbs They can cut lighting costs by up to 90%, so are well worth the investment.
  2. Insulate your loft It will help to prevent up to 25% of your heating escaping through the roof.
  3. Consider cavity wall insulation It can help to stop 35% of your heating from leaving your home and only takes a couple of hours to install. Holes are drilled into the external walls of your property and insulation is injected into the cavity.
  4. Replace your old boiler with an energy efficient new one It could make a drastic difference to your fuel bills – and your EPC rating.
  5. Invest in double or triple glazed windows – not the cheapest option but great value in the long run
  6. Seal any draughty parts of the house Including floorboards, around windows and the front door.

So could be a great time to start the ball rolling have a look at some quick wins…