What Does An EPC Assessment Involve?

The Assessment Process

A domestic energy assessment is an evidence based assessment conducted by an accredited ‘Domestic Energy Assessor’ (DEA). The assessor will need access to every room in the property, including living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, loft rooms, attics and basements. They will walk around the property and sketch a floor plan, capturing all room dimensions and key information that affects the energy efficiency of the property.
This includes and is not limited to;

How the property is constructed – brick / timber frame / concrete / system build…
What type of windows are in the property – double glazing / single glazing / secondary glazing…
Are openings draught proofed – windows / doors…
How the property is insulated – walls / floors / loft space / roof…
How the property is heated – gas central heating / under floor heating / electric storage heaters / electric convector heaters…
What heating controls are in place – room thermostats / radiator thermostats…
How water is heated in the property – from the main heating system or a separate heating system e.g. immersion tank…
What fixed lighting is in the property – LED’s / Halogen bulbs / filament bulbs…
Any renewable technologies present – solar panels / wind turbine…

An assessment usually takes around 30 minutes on site for a three/four bedroom sized house. The assessor will take photos where necessary to provide evidence of the information they capture. If any room in the property is not accessible, for example people sleeping in a bedroom, someone using the bathroom etc, the assessor will not be able to complete the assessment.

Once the on site assessment is complete, the assessor will process the data they have collected and the new EPC will be produced. This usually happens the same day as the assessment, time permitting and assuming all relevant data was available during the assessment.
Once payment has been received, the EPC will be lodged on the national register and a link to the new certificate will be emailed to you.

Additional Evidence

The assessment is non-invasive. This means an assessor can only include what they can see. They cannot make assumptions about what might be present in a property. They can’t drill holes in walls or lift floorboards to check for insulation. If a boiler is not accessible because it is in a locked cupboard or it’s in another property, it will not be included in the assessment. If there is any part of the property that can’t be accessed, the assessor will either not be able to complete the assessment at all or they will have to make assumptions about what they can’t access.

Insulation

Insulation may have been added to walls, floors and roof areas but it is not always visible to assessors. Insulation is a key element of EPC calculations as it helps to improve the energy efficiency of a property. The assessor must input the thickness and type of insulation in all areas of the property where it has been added, into the EPC software. They must provide evidence proving the information they have input is accurate. They need access to take photos that clearly show the type and thickness of the insulation present. If this is not possible, for example in loft conversions, flat roof areas, plastered and decorated walls etc then the home owner must provide something in writing from an installer / builder stating the location, thickness and type of the insulation. The assessor can use this document as evidence of the insulation present.

Find out more about…

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)

What are the ‘Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards’ (MEES) for EPCs and why are they important?

Domestic EPC Exemptions from MEES Minimum Rating

MEES Exemptions allow landlords to let properties that do not achieve the minimum energy rating