We know that if we reduce our energy consumption, we reduce our energy costs and as energy prices continue to climb the amount saved can be substantial. We all know not to leave lights and devices on, we know if we turn our thermostats down a degree or two we can save quite a lot of energy and we know keeping internal doors closed during Winter can also save on energy costs. There is, however, more substantial exercises you can do to save energy and if you are thinking of selling or renting your home, certain rules and regulations now exist surrounding energy efficiency as part of the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy. Further information about the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy can be found here.
Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 detail a requirement that all buildings (except listed properties) must have had an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before that property is offered for sale and that anyone selling or renting the property on behalf of a landlord or vendor must be convinced that an EPC has been produced.
The Government website offers further information and guidance on EPC’s for landlords and vendors and can be found here.
What Is An EPC?
An EPC details the energy efficiency rating of a property using an A–G rating scale with colours ranging from green for an A-rated property to red for a G-rating. Clearly, a green A-rated property will hold far more appeal in terms of cost saving and energy efficiency than a red, G-rated one. The EPC will detail the likely cost of energy bills for the property and recommendations for improvements that can be made to make the property more energy efficient, along with the potential cost and improved energy rating upon completion. Many mortgage lenders now offer ‘Green Mortgages’ to purchasers of energy-efficient homes with more beneficial terms for the loan. Frequently, a lender will offer a lower rate of interest on a green mortgage too.
How Can I Improve The Energy Efficiency Of My Home?
If your property has received a less than glowing EPC, don’t panic! Here, we look at 5 ways in which improvements can be made to increase its energy efficiency.
- Loft Insulation
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a quarter of the heat in a property is lost through the roof of an uninsulated home. If fitted correctly, loft insulation can reduce bills and heat loss very effectively, in a quick and stress free way. According to the guide, the cost of loft insulation for the average 4 bedroom detached house should be around £300 – £400, depending on the depth of insulation.
Ovo Energy claim savings on energy bills of around £750 over 5 years once the loft insulation has been installed. - Boilers
With heating accounting for over 50% of energy bills each year, a poorly maintained or older boiler will burn fuel inefficiently which will push up the cost of household bills. Installing a modern condenser boiler, will provide greater efficiency. This comes from the larger heat exchanger inside which will recoup more heat, sending colder gases up the flue which increases the efficiency. The type of fuel used by your boiler will be down to personal choice. Gas will be more than likely be the most cost-effective fuel but if you have an eye on the environment or do not have a gas supply to your home, low-carbon heating methods such as biomass may be your preferred choice. With a renewable source, you may even qualify for payments under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive scheme.
Ovo Energy claim an average saving on energy bills of £205 a year, when you upgrade an older boiler. - Windows And Doors
On their website, the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) say that our homes lose 10 – 20% of their energy through windows and doors. This can be a fairly expensive improvement to make however, so they advise that you first look to replace an inefficient boiler and install loft insulation. If after doing so you are looking for further ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home, double or triple glazing and high-performance thermal doors can be a way to go. Draught proofing and thermal window coverings can be a less expensive way to help reduce heat loss in your home, thus increasing the energy efficiency. The CSE state that a reduction of heat loss of up to 41% can be gained with the addition of heavy thermal curtaining, only around 15-20% less than installing secondary glazing which shows a reduction of up to 58%. - Solar Panels
Across the UK, solar panels have become an increasingly common feature on many buildings. Although the initial outlay is fairly expensive, the main attraction is the free energy provided during their lifetime which is, thankfully, a long one. According to a blog post on greenmatch.co.uk, the UK is now installing solar panels faster than any other country in Europe. Greenmatch give figures of around £350 – £500 per solar panel and the number of panels you decide to have will depend on roof size, energy consumption etc. The average cost per UK home is around £4800. The panels work by absorbing sunlight into photovoltaic (PV) cells inside. The DC electricity from the panels is then converted by an inverter into the AC electricity used in homes.
Don’t worry about the great British weather! The myth that the sun needs to shine all the time for the panels to work is just that – a myth. They work in cloudy conditions too.
The Government introduced the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) scheme to pay a household for any solar energy that they generate but do not use. This energy is then exported to the National Grid and a payment is made to the originating household. Further information on the scheme can be found in this guide by Money Saving Expert. - Wall Insulation
According to The Energy Saving Trust (EST), installing wall insulation can reduce your heating costs dramatically, thus making your property more energy efficient. As with solar panels, the initial outlay can seem very costly but the savings on bills can make this method seem more attractive. Insulation can be installed in solid walls or cavity walls and the cost differs depending on which. The EST give average figures for a UK 3 bed semidetached house of around £10,000 for insulation in solid external walls and around £8,200 for solid internal wall installation with savings of around £210 per year.
The method you choose to increase the energy efficiency of your property will depend upon several factors such as your budget, your location and your environmental outlook. Whichever method you choose, the savings you make on your energy bills each year will give you short and long term gains. In the short term, your pocket will thank you for the reduction on the annual cost of energy bills and in the long term, your property will be more attractive should you decide to sell or rent the property.
