Solar panels & EPC ratings

EPC ratings are something we’re already used to seeing on electrical appliances like fridges and washing machines, and they’re becoming increasingly important to homeowners.

It’s now a legal requirement to have an EPC rating when you’re selling, letting or building a property in the UK, with a few exceptions. And in Scotland, the certificate must be displayed somewhere in the home.

In terms of solar panels, with the right overall set up, they could positively affect your rating.

Let’s take a look at the relationship between solar PV and Energy Performance Certificates.

Can solar energy systems improve your EPC rating?

Your EPC rating will improve with the inclusion of solar panels, and even further if your system includes battery storage.

For reference, a big enough system could add up to 15 points to your EPC rating, which could nudge you up into a higher category, saving you money. Attaining an EPC can be handled by an estate agent, but you can save yourself money by searching the EPC register’s assessor page and hiring your own assessor.

What is an EPC rating?

EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate and it’s an indication of how much energy your home is using and losing. Some of the ways to improve your EPC rating can seem very obvious: effective insulation, double or triple glazing, and reducing the amount of fossil fuel energy you use. That EPC is then registered on the government’s online database.

This makes each property’s EPC rating easily searchable for potential buyers or renters. But the EPC isn’t just helpful for assuring tenants or buyers your home is ok to live in, it’s also useful to you as the owner, as you can find out how energy efficient your home is.

How is an EPC rating calculated?

An assessor will first calculate the property’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and then work towards the EPC score. The higher the score, the higher the EPC rating, which you can see in the graphic below.

How to check EPC rating

Your home will hold a certificate from when it was last assessed which you can check, or you can search your address on the official government EPC register online.

How to improve your EPC rating

Common sense prevails when it comes to improving your EPC rating. Points are added or removed depending on your energy use and what you have in place to save energy. The perfect score is 100, which is a high A, and it means you're not wasting any energy.

On the other hand, a zero rating may suggest you’re heating the place with a 3-bar electric fire. Anything that saves energy or improves the efficiency of your home will improve your EPC rating, whether that’s changing any outdated light bulbs or installing a new heating system. Here's some more guidance:

Insulate your home correctly

Insulation isn’t just for the loft- it should be used anywhere that heat could escape from. Most modern homes will already have insulation in the walls, but older houses may need modernising. The kind of cavity wall insulation used in the 70s and 80s isn’t the most effective, but it’s also very hard to remove and replace.

In cases like this, it may be an idea to consider insulation that covers the surface of the wall- this will also work in homes without cavity walls. Also, insulating doors and windows around the frame or door jam is a great way to keep the heat in.

Insulate your floors

Insulating the floor isn’t something that usually crosses a homeowner's mind, but we actually lose between 10 to 20% of our heat through badly insulated floors. Solid floors, like concrete, would be hard to insulate, but insulating floating floors would cost around £1500 and £3000.

Upgrade the lighting to LED light bulbs

While LED light bulbs are standard these days, you’ll be surprised at how many homes still use incandescent or halogen bulbs. You know when you’ve had the lights on a while, and the bulb gets really hot? That’s a sign of inefficiency.

These types of light bulbs turn a lot of the electricity they use into heat energy, as well as light, and that means you’re wasting that energy. Whereas, LED bulbs use between 80 and 90% less energy than their more traditional counterparts. Plus, most smart bulbs are LED, so you can control them with a home hub – saving more energy by turning them off automatically when no one’s in the room.

Using LED Bulbs can save you up to £160 a year on bills alone. LEDs also last up to 100k hours, compared to the 3k hours of use from traditional bulbs. Cheap and easy to replace, you can easily boost your EPC rating with each change.

Invest in double or triple-glazed windows

There are still homes today with single glazing because investing in new windows can be costly, but it's essential for saving money on your energy and fuel bills. There are even secondary glazing options for listed buildings or properties where the windows are unable to be removed.

And even if your windows are double glazed, it’s recommended that you replace the glass units in your current windows if you’ve had them over 20 years to ensure they’re as effective as they were brand new. While this may sound pointless, getting better windows can add 5 to 10 points to your EPC score. Another benefit is double, or triple glazing, will block out much more outdoor noise.

Upgrade your boiler

If you have an inefficient boiler, you could be wasting money every time you put the heating on or take a shower.

If you’re looking for a boiler, it’s always best to spend a little extra on the most efficient model you can afford, and you’ll still make huge savings on your bills for years to come.

Install underfloor heating

Underfloor heating was hugely popular in the 60s and early 70s, but as it was so hard to repair or replace, everyone favoured central heating. However, like most things, the technology has improved dramatically.

A wet underfloor heating system uses much cooler water than a standard combi-boiler and, if paired with a heat pump, may help you achieve lower running costs with a lower flow temperature, according to Energy Saving Trust.

Now you know the potential for EPC rating improvements with solar panels, the next step is deciding on a trusted installer. Learn everything you need to know about Wickes Solar, a dedicated team who are there to support you as you embark on your journey into renewable energy.