As the cost of living continues to be a concern for us all, the importance of energy efficiency in our homes cannot be overstated. And with a growing number of homes in the UK opting for off-grid living, it's essential to understand the impact that heating fuel choices have on a home's overall energy efficiency. In this blog, we will examine the EPC ratings of off-grid homes in the UK that rely on heating oil and LPG, highlighting the factors that influence these ratings and the steps that homeowners can take to improve them.
What is an EPC rating?
Let’s start at the beginning. EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. It is a document that provides information on the energy efficiency of a building, usually a home. The certificate provides an EPC rating of your home on a scale of A to G, where A is the most energy efficient and G is the least efficient. In most homes, an energy performance certificate rating of D is most common. It is required whenever a building is constructed, sold, or rented, and is valid for 10 years. Its purpose is to help current and potential owners and occupiers understand the energy performance of their building and to identify opportunities for improvement.
How do you get an EPC?
EPCs are valid for 10 years, so firstly it’s best to check if your property already has a recent EPC.
If you want to check on a property in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, you can find your EPC on the gov.uk website. EPCs for properties in Scotland are held on the Scottish Energy Performance Certificate Register.
If you do need a new EPC (or want one because you have made improvements), you need to get an accredited energy assessor to carry out a survey of the property. You can find contact details online for accredited assessors on the links below:
- Get a new energy certificate in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
- Find accredited assessors in Scotland.
Benefits of a good EPC rating
So, what does a good EPC rating get you? Firstly, and the focus of this blog, it saves you money on your energy bills. A more energy-efficient home will have lower energy costs, which is especially important for off-grid homes that are not connected to the grid and rely on alternative sources of energy such as LPG or heating oil. Think of the improvements like an investment.
A short-term benefit of a good EPC rating is that a well-insulated and well-sealed home will maintain a more stable temperature, reduce drafts, and make the home more comfortable to live in. Plus, it can reduce the risk of damp and condensation in the home.
Finally, a home with a good EPC rating can be more attractive to potential buyers or renters and may significantly increase the value of your home.
What impact do heating oil and LPG have on EPC ratings of off-grid homes?
For those of us living in off-grid homes away from the big cities, the use of alternative fuel sources like heating oil and LPG (Liquid Propane Gas) are sometimes necessary, but they do impact the EPC rating of a building both negatively and positively. Here are some specific ways the use of heating oil or LPG can affect your EPC rating:
- Energy efficiency of the heating system: The energy efficiency of a heating oil or LPG heating system is an important factor in determining the EPC rating. Modern heating systems that use heating oil or LPG are generally more energy efficient than older systems, which can have a positive impact on the EPC rating. If you have an older system, consider upgrading to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- Carbon emissions: the use of most fuels produces carbon emissions, and which fuel you use can have a negative impact on your EPC rating. It's worth noting that the carbon emissions associated with a fuel type can also depend on the efficiency of your boiler and the level of insulation in the building. Improving these factors can help to reduce the carbon emissions of any fuel type and improve the overall EPC rating of a building. LPG is a clean-burning fuel that produces less carbon dioxide than heating oil but more than natural gas. If you are using heating oil, consider using Premium Heating oil which is up to 15% more efficient than standard domestic heating oil, or alternatively consider switching to LPG or another greener source. There are lots of options coming soon, so keep your eye out for renewable fuels such as HVO, (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), or renewable gasses such as BioLPG and rDME.
- Cost of fuel: The cost of heating oil and LPG can also be a factor in the EPC rating, as higher fuel costs can increase the running costs of the building and reduce its overall energy efficiency. So, it’s never been more important to try and maximise the efficiency of your home to minimise the impact of higher costs.
In general, whatever fuel type you use it's important to regularly maintain and upgrade the heating system to ensure it's running as efficiently as possible and to minimise its impact on your EPC rating. We would always recommend getting your boiler serviced by an OFTEC or Gas Safe engineer to ensure it is running optimally.
Now to the juicy bit – top tips on how you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce your energy bills as a result. Some are low-cost, some are larger investments, but all will help improve your EPC rating.
- Upgrade your heating system: Upgrading to a more energy-efficient heating system can have a significant impact on the EPC rating. Consider upgrading to a condensing boiler, which is more efficient and produces fewer carbon emissions. At Northern Energy, we would always recommend an OFTEC registered engineer (watchdogs of oil safety within the UK) to carry out any work and to get a minimum of two independent quotes.
- Improve insulation: Adding or upgrading insulation in the walls and roof can help to reduce heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of your home. Quick and easy to install, loft insulation should result in reduced energy bills and reduced heat loss at home.
- Install more efficient windows: Upgrading your windows may be an initial investment but will improve your home's EPC rating and often add value to you home instantly – a win-win!
- Draught-proofing: Check for and seal air leaks around windows and doors. This can help to reduce drafts and improve the energy efficiency of the building. Consider purchasing draught excluders for gaps under doors which you can’t seal.
- Optimise fuel use: Ensure that the heating system is being used optimally by setting the thermostat correctly and adjusting the heating schedule to suit your needs. Does your heating need to be on all day, or can you use timers to control when it comes on and off? Installing programmable thermostats can help you control the temperature in your home more effectively and reduce the amount of fuel used.
- Upgrade to energy-efficient light bulbs: Replacing traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LED lights can help to reduce energy use and improve your EPC rating.
- Use energy-efficient appliances: All appliances in your home will have an energy efficiency score, from your washing machine to your fridge. Consider upgrading older, less efficient appliances with more efficient replacements for long-term gains.
- Install shading devices: Installing blinds or shutters can help to reduce heat gain in the summer and reduce heat loss in winter.
- Install low-flow showerheads: Low-flow showerheads can reduce the amount of water used during showers, reducing the energy consumption of your hot water system.
- Regularly service your heating system: Regularly servicing your heating system can help to ensure that it is operating efficiently and reducing energy waste. Read our recent blog for more information of the importance of maintaining your oil central heating boiler.
Need more expert advice?
At Northern Energy, we’ve been supplying heating oil and LPG to remote areas around the UK for over 90 years and know how important energy efficiency is for us all – now more than ever. Hopefully you’ve found some useful tips in this blog and have a better understanding of your EPC rating. For more energy saving tips, browse our latest news and insights from the off-grid energy experts or get in touch for a heating oil or LPG delivery quote!