Why EPCs Are More Important Than Ever In 2022
The government has required EPCs for selling a property for a long time. However, with the energy bill crisis looming, they are now more important than ever. Some buyers are looking to move to manage their cost of living. Even if it isn’t their primary motivation, many buyers will be considering the costs of heating their homes, given the unprecedented energy bill rise. EPC in 2022.
The Value Of An EPC
An EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) gives prospective buyers and renters an idea of how expensive it will be to heat their homes. The difference between a well-rated energy-efficient home and a low-rated home can be hundreds of pounds per year. As a result, some buyers may limit their search to homes with higher EPC ratings.
Many buyers are willing to put some money aside to make improvements to their homes. However, most would rather spend the money on cosmetic improvements rather than practical ones. This means that many will be looking for homes that won’t need a lot of work to improve energy efficiency.
If you are planning to sell your home, it might be worth investing in your property’s energy efficiency to increase the value of your home. If you already have a general idea of your current EPC, complete your work and then book your EPC after the work is complete. A slightly higher rating can increase the value of your home and help it to sell faster.
Key Things to Know About EPCs
EPCs are not a pass or fail assessment. An expert assesses the energy efficiency of the building and then gives a rating on a scale. A grading of A is the best rating possible and the lowest a G. Currently, the average rating for homes in the UK is D. However, with government initiatives requiring landlords to improve their properties and more awareness of energy efficiency, experts expect that average to rise in the next year.
Once you get an EPC certificate, it is valid for ten years. So if you bought a property less than ten years ago, you might already hold a valid EPC certificate. However, if you have made changes such as adding insulation, improving windows or even changing to energy-efficient lightbulbs, it may not be a true representation of the efficiency of the home. In these cases, you may be wise to get a new assessment done, as a higher rating will improve the value of your home.
Features Buyer Are Looking For
The top three features that buyers are looking for show that they care about the cost of living in their new home. The top of the list is a modern kitchen. Next comes double glazed windows, closely followed by roof insulation. Other features that may have been overlooked in the past are now getting more attention. Cavity wall insulation, for instance, is becoming something that most buyers will ask about.
Getting an EPC
If you are selling your property and have made improvements that may affect your EPC rating, then it is well worth booking a new EPC assessment as it may affect the value of your home. To book your EPC, the team at Assessment Hive are happy to help you with a quick, efficient assessment with assessors who can offer helpful tips and tricks to help increase your score. EPC in 2022.
