What is an EPC certificate?

The obvious answer is that it is an Energy Performance Certificate.

But what does it actually do? I'm not sure! On the form it says:-

Use this document to:-

• Compare current ratings of properties to see which properties are more energy efficient
• Find out how you can save energy and money by installing improvement measures

I have just had mine done and have scored 52 points with a potential to rise to 66 points so my property is rated E (band 39-54) and could get into a D (band 55-68) and the top actions I can take to save money and make my home more efficient are:-

• Increase loft insulation to 270mm at an indicative cost of £100-£350 and gain 2 points
• Solar water heating at an indicative cost of £4000-£6000 and gain 3 points
• Solar photovoltaic panels (2.5 kWp) at an indicative cost of £9000-£14000 and gain 6 points
• Wind turbine at an indicative cost of £1500-£4000 and gain 3 points

These recommendations are all well and good but the only realistic one is to increase loft insulation but gaining 2 points still leaves me in band E and at an estimated saving of £74 per annum and assuming maximum cost there is a 5 year payback and joy of joys I could borrow money through the Green Deal at an exorbitant rate of 7%!

The other options, my house points the wrong way to benefit from anything solar - my roof is east/west facing and I only get the afternoon sun and then only in summer, and with a smallish garden I don't have any where to put a wind turbine unless I put one in with my llamas and dog lots of trenches which add to the cost quite significantly.

Not sure any of this will actually make my house more sellable anyway!

What do you think?

Multiheat are specialists in far infrared heating panels!