5 cost-effective ways to improve your property’s energy efficiency rating

Global warming is an issue that continues to gather international attention and affects many aspects of modern life, from the way we farm crops to weather and animal behaviour. Although this is a worldwide issue, there are things each and every one of us can do to combat it – and a collective approach involving individual behaviours and more sustainable ways to use electricity, heat our homes and dispose of waste all make a huge difference.

Following EU guidelines properties must now be surveyed prior to sale, meaning sellers must obtain an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC. This provides key information regarding your property’s energy efficiency and indicates the cost of electricity when heating your home. This can significantly affect the way buyers perceive your property – meaning an EPC could be the difference between a swift sale and months on the market. In today’s blog we share five ways you can easily improve your EPC rating. Although an initial outlay is required for the suggestions below, they could protect your property’s value and support your sale.

Insulation is important

Insulation in cavity walls and lofts is a game-changer where energy efficiency in the home is concerned. Insulation protects and retains heat within the home, significantly reducing energy bills and therefore improving your property’s energy efficiency rating. Insulation is fairly inexpensive to install depending on the size and age of your home – and government incentives are still available which can further reduce the cost attached.

Invest in thicker window coverings to retain heat

This is perhaps the cheapest and easiest way to improve your home’s energy efficiency rating. Simply by hanging thicker curtains or blinds and covering doors and larger windows your property will more easily retain heat, reducing energy bills.

Request a smart meter for your home

Smart meters were introduced in 2009 – but they’ve only attracted widespread publicity in recent years. Now over six million homes in the UK have smart meters installed. Whilst installation alone won’t have a direct impact on the energy efficiency of your property, it will help you to identify elements within your home that could be removed or improved in order to get a better rating. By monitoring energy usage even over a short period of time you may be able to make substantial savings.

Fit double-glazing

Single-glazed windows are notoriously inefficient – known for leaking valuable warm air and letting in cold. By contrast, double-glazing improves insulation within your home reducing draughts and heating bills whilst keeping out noise and condensation. The glass itself has ratings denoting the energy-saving benefits attached, so it’s worth speaking to different providers to learn more about how each option will affect your home’s overall energy efficiency rating. Good quality double-glazing should also last around twenty years – so it’s a savvy investment even if you decide not to move on immediately.

Organise a boiler upgrade

Old, inefficient boilers contribute significantly to poor energy ratings. They can add over £200 a year to energy bills – and often an upgrade can make a huge difference to a property’s energy efficiency rating. New generation boilers offer a host of benefits for homeowners and the environment; as they are highly efficient they reduce carbon emissions and energy bills at the same time. Boilers themselves are given ratings between A-G – so it’s worth having someone come out to assess your current boiler, suggest how an upgrade could help and offer advice regarding the attached cost.

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