Energy performance certificates (EPCs) currently depend on an estimate of how much it costs to heat a house instead of the amount of CO2 emitted. Heat pumps emit less CO2 compared to burning gas, but they are not always cheaper to operate. Though SAP calculation costs vary, every home should conduct this estimate so that they can properly assess their household emissions. SAP calculation should be done by professionals to ensure accuracy and legitimacy.
Heat pumps usually cost up to £20,000 and are the only popular substitute for gas boilers at the moment. Ministers are hopeful that most homes could eventually transition to a system in which boilers can burn hydrogen. However, this technology has never been used on a large scale in housing.
Rishi Sunak and the Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, have argued that the UK must persist with their reliance on domestic gas production as they transition to net-zero energy instead of depending solely on renewable energy sources.
The Government has offered a voluntary target for lenders to better the homes’ average rating to at least band C by 2030. They have also told landlords that their properties must have a C rating or above by 2025.
The EPC system was created in 2007 to encourage homeowners to make their homes more energy-efficient. It has grown in importance over time, with lenders such as NatWest now offering so-called green mortgages with lower rates for A- or B-rated properties.
According to research, improving a home’s energy rating from G to A increases its value by 14pc. Only about a tenth of the 22 million English and Welsh dwellings receive the top A and B ratings, with roughly 60 per cent receiving an EPC rating of D or lower.
The Government is about to announce an update on EPCs this year. This is after it has been criticised for not updating the methods since 2012. Meetings with the Business Department take place on a nearly monthly basis. They understand the issues and have plans in place, but it’s a complicated situation. They’re devoting a lot of resources to getting it fixed as soon as possible.
EPCs provide useful guidance for consumers and businesses by outlining how energy-efficient buildings are in a straightforward and comparable manner. This way, SAP calculation costs will be more accurate and provide greater insight into what a homeowner or a business can do to adjust their rates.
According to a recent study, only 40 per cent of English homes meet the recommended EPC standards. In the City of London, 63 per cent of properties have an EPC rating of C or higher.
This is followed closely by Salford with 58 per cent of its homes and builds meeting the recommended energy rating and Peterborough with 53 per cent of its properties in band C or higher.
Birmingham came in last, with only 31 per cent of homes meeting the targeted energy rating. Both Lancaster and Stoke-on-Trent fell below the national average, with 33 per cent and 32 per cent of their homes respectively receiving a C rating or higher.
When it comes to regions across England, 45 per cent of properties in London met the EPC band. The Humber and Yorkshire had the lowest score on the list, with only 35 per cent of properties meeting the advised EPC standards. According to new government regulations, all rental properties must meet a mandatory EPC C rating on new tenancies by December 2025. That is why it is crucial to acquire SAP calculation services: to allow each property owner to know their home’s energy rating.
The Government is keen on hitting its goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. However, landlords are regarded as vulnerable in this situation, and it is somewhat unfair as the new EPC standards are more difficult to meet. Owners of buy-to-let properties have only recently ensured that their properties meet the current ‘E’ EPC rating, but they will now have to wait for three years of additional eco improvements to meet a new ‘C’ target.
The most expensive energy efficiency measures are those that will be required in the near future. Switching to LED light bulbs will not suffice; they must also consider cavity wall insulation, air source heat pumps, and solar panels.
Some of the UK’s largest cities, including Brighton, Birmingham, and Leeds have significant problems with poor EPC ratings. When the numbers are crunched, a huge number of landlords will discover that they won’t be able to recover any eco investments, especially if their neighbourhood can’t tolerate higher rents. Landlords will have to seriously reconsider their yields in terms of profits, margins, and financing energy efficiency projects.
While poorly insulated homes have always been more expensive to heat, a study claims that the scale of the “leaky homes surcharge” will add an extra £3.9 billion to bills for homes rated D to G when the energy price cap rises.
According to new research, less energy-efficient homes could cost hundreds of pounds more to heat after the energy price cap rises in April 2022.
People who live in homes with an E-rating or lower on their EPC may see their annual heating bills rise by at least £320 more than those who live in a C-rating. Those who live in the country’s 1.5 million F- or G-rated homes may have to pay an extra £390.
One government proposal requires heat pumps in new homes beginning in 2025, but these are less effective in poorly insulated homes.
Reliable SAP Calculation
With all the complications in calculating a home’s energy rating, you must get a reliable and professional SAP calculation company. You might be thinking, what are the benefits of SAP calculation? By using this service, you will know the right rating for your home. SAP calculations can also provide you with recommendations on how you can raise your rating by making a few key changes.
At Briary Energy, we provide you with accurate calculations so that you will know the proper rating of your home. This way, you can make adjustments if you need to increase its rating and overall value.
If you want us to conduct a calculation for your home, visit our website at briaryenergy.co.uk. We will also gladly answer any questions you may have.
