Which green features do homes with high EPC ratings have?

The rating and score on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reflects how much energy it takes to power a home and how efficiently the heat is retained.

A home’s energy rating ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Homes will also be given a score out of 100. The higher the number, the lower the energy bills are likely to be.

Aspects that can impact an EPC score include the heating system within the home, and how it’s controlled; if the windows are double or triple glazed; how well insulated the floors and walls are; and what sort of lighting has been installed.

So which features really boost a property’s energy-efficiency score?

We’ve taken a look at the energy-saving features installed in homes for sale within the top two EPC ratings of A and B.

Smart Lighting

Lighting is one of the features that contributes towards a home’s EPC rating. Energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LEDs (light emitting diodes), last longer and generate less heat, so they reduce a household’s energy consumption.

And smart LED lighting can be automated. Instead of having wall switches, an entire home’s lighting system can be controlled from an app.

Review Potential Scores

Your home’s energy-efficiency certificate will have two numbers for its energy-efficiency score: its current score - or what it scored at the time the certificate was ordered - and a ‘potential’ score of what it could achieve if the recommended improvements are carried out.

Triple Glazing

Typically, a home loses more heat through its windows than anywhere else, and many home-owners are now considering this sort of upgrade to make their home more energy efficient.

Solar Panels

With a solar panel system installed, you can not only make your energy usage more efficient, but can also generate income from any unused energy via a buy-back scheme.

Good Insulation

Good insulation isn’t just about keeping a home warm: it’ll help keep it at a comfortable temperature throughout the year. But it’s particularly beneficial during winter, as you’re less likely to have heat escape through poorly insulated walls or roofs, or have draughts.

Air Source Heat Pump

One of the low-carbon alternatives to gas boilers are heat pumps. Air source heat pumps are powered by electricity, and in simplistic terms move heat from the outdoors into your home.

EV Charging Point

Having an electric vehicle charging point installed, whilst not contributing to your home’s EPC rating, may be an additional 'green' feature that potential buyers are looking for.

• This beautiful home on Newlands Drive in Halesowen is rate as a high EPC 'C' with potential to move up to EPC 'B' -
to find out more about this stunning house CLICK HERE

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You can contact us on 0121 550 5400 for the Halesowen Office, 01562 270270 for Hagley and 01384 442464 for Stourbridge

This is just one of the stories on our Spring 2023 edition of Property Matters. You can download the whole newsletter by CLICKING HERE