What is EPC Calculator?
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a crucial document that provides information about your property’s energy efficiency. Before buying, selling, or renting a home in the UK, you must have a valid EPC certificate. It also gives you tips to improve efficiency.
However, it is only provided by an official energy-assessor after visiting your home. But, with this online EPC calculator, you can estimate your home’s energy rating quickly, and apply for the ECO4 government grants if eligible.
How does the online EPC calculator work?
Basically, this online calculator does not include any formula/equation to calculate your home EPC. Rather it gives you a way to estimate how your EPC is calculated by officials. For calculating EPC by your own, you need to consider following parametre:
Parameter | Estimated Weightage in EPC | Impact | |
Insulation Condition (How Much Heat Escapes) | Solid Walls | 5% | Medium |
Cavity Walls | 11% | High | |
Loft or Roof Area | 14% | High | |
Underfloor Area | 4% | Low | |
Window Condition | Single, Double or Triple pane window | 5% | Low |
Heating System Efficiency | Coal, Oil, Gas or Electric Heating | 25% | Very High |
Smart Control | Smart Thermostats etc. that use energy only when needed | 8% | Medium |
Warm Water | In Main System & Throughout home | 10% | Medium |
Lighting & other electric appliances | New Energy efficient or traditional | 3% | Low |
Other things | Vary from property to property | 15% | Medium |
When the official evaluator analyses your property, he makes sure which area is more prone to heat-loss such as Loft, internal or external walls, floor or windows. If the property has pitched area with less than 250mm insulation (yellowish coloured), he recommends insulation upgrade right-away.
Mostly Loft & cavity wall insulation has more weightage. Let’s say if the property has a newly installed loft insulation properly, it must have 14 out of 14 score. On the other hand, if the loft area has no insulation before, 0 out of 14 will be its score, and so on.
Similarly, the highest weightage is for the heating system. If it is highly energy efficient, its ErP (Energy-Related Products) is high. ErP shows the efficiency that a heating system converts the energy it uses into heating the home or water. If a home uses above 90% efficient condensing gas boilers as installed through free government grants, give it a minimum of 23 out of 25 score.
Finally, you can give a score to each of the parametre as mentioned in the table above, and add to obtain subtotal. The final score will show you an estimated EPC rating of your property.
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) is a crucial document that provides information about your property’s energy efficiency. Before buying, selling, or renting a home in the UK, you must have a valid EPC certificate. It also gives you tips to improve efficiency.
However, it is only provided by an official energy-assessor after visiting your home. But, with this online EPC calculator, you can estimate your home’s energy rating quickly, and apply for the ECO4 government grants if eligible.
Top features of online EPC Calculator
Here are some reasons why using an EPC calculator is a smart choice:
- Fast and Convenient: It only takes a few minutes to use the calculator.
- No Need for an Inspection: You don’t need an inspection team to visit your home.
- Helps with Improvements: The result helps you decide on energy-saving upgrades.
- Save on Bills: Improving your energy rating can lower your energy bills.
How to improve your EPC Rating
If your home has a low EPC rating, don’t worry. There are many ways to improve it. Here are some simple tips:
- Upgrade Insulation: Better insulation helps keep heat inside your home.
- Install Double-Glazed Windows: These windows reduce heat loss.
- Upgrade Your Boiler: A new boiler uses less energy.
- Switch to LED Lighting: LED lights use less power than old bulbs.
Who needs an EPC?
If one intends to put his/her property for sale or rent it out in the United Kingdom, an Energy Performance Certificate is essential. For both landlords as well as homeowners, it serves as an evidence of how energy efficient their property is likely to be when they lease it out or sell it off. Besides this, EPC rating becomes a requirement if eligible private tenants or homeowners want it done on their houses before renting them out or putting them up for sale. The certificate lasts for a period of ten years.
How can an EPC save you money?
A good EPC rating can save hundreds of pounds on energy bills paid by households every year. Properties which are energy efficient tend to consume less energy through heating and cooling processes making them cheaper in terms of power use than other houses. Thus, you will reduce electricity and gas expenses significantly. With minimal changes you might end up saving hundreds of pounds every year.
What information do you need for calculating your home EPC?
To get accurate results, the calculator needs information about your home. You should know:
- Type of Property: Is it a flat, semi-detached, or detached house?
- Heating System: Do you use gas, electric, or another type of heating?
- Insulation Type: Which insulation type & level do you have in the walls and roof?
- Window Type: Are your windows single-glazed or double-glazed?
Grades on EPC Rating
An EPC measures how much energy your home uses. It gives a rating from A to G. A-rated homes are highly energy-efficient, while G-rated homes mean a lot of heating upgrades or improvements needed. The certificate also suggests ways to make your home more energy efficient. Your EPC score will be from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean your home is more energy efficient. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- A (92-100): Very efficient.
- B (81-91): Efficient.
- C (69-80): Average efficiency.
- D (55-68): Below average.
- E (39-54): Not efficient! Need to upgrade the heating system.
- F (21-38): Very poor efficiency! Must insulate the home and upgrade the heating system.
- G (1-20): Extremely poor efficiency! Requires home insulation and an efficient heating system.
Check your property’s EPC now
Don’t wait! Check your online EPC today to get free heating grants under ECO4 scheme.
Why improve your home’s EPC Rating?
A better EPC rating can help you in several ways:
- Increase Property Value: Energy-efficient homes are worth more.
- Attract Tenants or Buyers: People prefer homes with low energy costs.
- Save the Environment: Using less energy reduces your carbon footprint.
How to get an official EPC
While the online calculator gives you an estimate, only an official EPC is legally valid. To get an official EPC, you need to hire a qualified energy assessor. The assessor will visit your home and inspect it. After the inspection, they will give you the official certificate.
Absolutely! Our online EPC calculator is completely accessible at no cost. Estimates are available at no charge. As for legal documents requiring official EPCs, you need to consult with professionals. However, in a flash it does exactly what we need by using free online calculators.
In simple wording, this online EPC calculator determines how energy efficient your home is. It is user-friendly and extremely fast. No expert knowledge or understanding required. A rough idea of the EPC score is given by answering just several questions.
This calculator just gives an idea to estimate your EPC in percentage. You can check it through various factors as mentioned in this calculator. For more information, feel free to contact an expert at Free Government Grant.
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Published 24 september 2024