Your EPC Assessment with South London EPC

At South London EPC, we aim to make the domestic energy assessment process as simple and efficient as possible for homeowners, landlords, and property sellers. If you’re preparing for a domestic energy assessment, here’s what you can expect from start to finish, including a breakdown of the process, tips on how to prepare, and what happens after the assessment.

What Happens During the Assessment

Our certified energy assessor will visit your property to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its energy efficiency. Typically, the assessment lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the size and complexity of the property. Larger properties or homes with multiple floors may take a bit longer. The purpose of the assessment is to gather key information that will determine your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating. The assessor will look at several features of your home that influence its energy consumption, including:

• Insulation: We will inspect loft, wall, and floor insulation to determine how well your property retains heat.
• Heating Systems: The age and type of heating systems, as well as the controls, will be examined. This includes boilers, radiators, and thermostats.
• Windows and Doors: The type of glazing on your windows (single, double, or triple) and the quality of your doors will be checked to assess heat retention.
• Renewable Energy Installations: If your property has solar panels, heat pumps, or other renewable energy sources, these will be included in the assessment.
• Building Materials: We’ll look at the materials used in the construction of the property to understand their impact on thermal efficiency.

Each of these factors will contribute to the overall EPC rating, which ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient your property is, which can significantly influence its value and appeal to potential buyers or tenants.

What You Need to Do Before the Visit

To ensure the energy assessment goes smoothly, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, make sure that areas such as the loft, heating system, and any renewable energy installations are easily accessible. Our assessor may need to look at the boiler, thermostat, and other heating controls, so it’s important these are not obstructed.

If you’ve recently made any improvements to the property, such as installing new windows, adding insulation, or upgrading the heating system, have the documentation ready. These upgrades can positively impact the EPC rating, and having proof of the work can help our assessor provide a more accurate evaluation. While the assessment itself does not involve any invasive procedures (such as drilling into walls), the assessor will need to inspect all relevant areas, so clearing any clutter or obstacles beforehand can be beneficial.