All you need to know about the Energy performance certificate (EPC)

When you have asked about solar panels or when you intend to install solar panels, you have likely heard the term of the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that was mentioned. However, what is it, and why is it of so much relevance to homeowners who are interested in renewable energy, say, solar power?

What Is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An EPC is a measure of the efficiency of your property in terms of energy. Assigned scores to buildings, with A representing the most efficient buildings and G being the least efficient buildings, help buyers, tenants and homeowners to understand the amount of energy a building consumes and how expensive it can be to operate.

EPCs are not optional in selling or renting a house in the UK. However, beyond compliance, an EPC will provide you with information about the amount of energy used by your property and what you can do to save money by making improvements, which can be insulation and LED lighting, solar panels or solar panel and battery packs.

What Is the Reason It Matters to an EPC of Solar Panels?

Your EPC is important in case you are thinking of installing solar panels in order to save money in your energy bills. The UK government has already associated some incentives and solar panel grants UK with your property EPC rating. As a case in point, in order to avail of incentives like the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) or other initiatives of the future, your residential building must generally have an EPC rating of D or better.

The point is it is a good idea to check your EPC status before investing in solar energy. Homes that have superior EPC ratings do not only have reduced energy bills but also have a higher chance of higher returns on the solar panel investments.

Improving Your EPC Rating

There is no need to panic that your house has a low EPC of less than a D because it is surprisingly easy to improve. Things such as improving your insulation, using energy saving bulbs or even installing a solar panel can boost your rating in a very short time.

The following are some of the practical methods of enhancing your EPC:

• Install renewable technology: Solar panels on sheds, flat roof, or vehicle can be used as well to make it efficient.
• Include battery storage: This is a solar battery kit or a solar panel kit with battery and inverter UK which enables you to store unused power to be used at a later date reducing dependency on grid power.
• Modern solar inverters UK and solar panel optimisers: Upgrade your inverter to maximize efficiency.
• Less shading: Solar panel bird guards or solar panel mesh can be installed to ensure that performance is not decreased by pigeons or debris.
• Keep your panels clean: Periodic cleaning of the system with a solar panel cleaner or having your solar panels serviced by a service provider would keep the systems efficient.

Less significant upgrades such as replacement of solar AA battery chargers with solar ones, installation of solar-powered house number signs or the incorporation of solar pumps to the garden can also help save energy, and produce a better EPC grade.

Conservation Areas and EPCs and Solar Panels

Even in case your property falls within a conservation area, the installation of the solar panels can be done with the appropriate permissions. The current lightweight solar panels and mounting systems of solar panels are made to fit into roof tops, including flat roofs or slate roofs with solar panels mounted on them. These panels always need to be checked in local planning regulations before they can be placed, and solar panels in a conservation area usually need further consent.

The way Solar Panels enhance energy efficiency

Installing solar power in sheds, solar power in our buildings or solar power in garden sheds does not simply turn your property greener but in fact, it raises your energy efficiency rating directly. By making your own clean power using solar cells (SunPower) or other high efficiency panels, you will decrease the amount of energy you require on the grid.

With solar panel prices at record lows and solar panel grants UK available to the qualifying households, the payback period has never been higher.

The Role of MCS Certificates

Once you have had your solar panel installed, your installer will send you an MCS certificate which is a document to show that you have a system that is fitting the criteria of renewable energy in the UK. This, together with your EPC will ensure that when you sell your property that you are eligible for government incentives.

What Will Be the Residents of the Absence of an EPC?

In case you are intending to install solar panels but you do not yet have an EPC, then you can easily get one with the help of an accredited assessor. After your solar panels are installed you can revise your EPC to indicate better efficiency of your home. In many cases, the properties which have solar panel kits or solar installation kits move a notch or two higher.

In Summary

The Energy Performance Certificate is not just a formality but it is a necessary aspect of knowing the efficiency of your home and how to make it more efficient. With simple improvements mixed with the modern renewable alternatives, such as solar panels, solar battery sets, or even sheds solar panels, it is possible to increase your EPC, decrease energy bills, and decrease your carbon print.

At SolarDreams, we are on hand to assist you throughout the process, whether it is to verify that your EPC rating is fine or we even come to install and maintain your solar panels. Solar energy makes it more convenient to improve efficiency, and it is more intelligent and cheaper than ever.