ENERGY PERFORMANCE WHATS IT ALL ABOUT?
The Energy Performance of a building is dependent on key factors these are:
1. The type of construction ie: Cavity, solid wall or timber frame, Steel Frame, and Concrete Construction.
(refereed to as system built)
2. The heating system supplied to the dwelling including a habitable room count.
3. The insulation, windows and floors.
4. Improvements that can or could be made to improve its energy efficiency with a cost saving guide and environment impact rating.
5. Renewable technology ie: Solar thermal or Photovoltaics.
In order to assess the property we need to look at all of these factors and more. The assessment uses a government approved rating system designed to tell you about the energy efficiency of a home. Below are examples of different types of building with energy ratings and their environmental impact.
Victorian Terrace Built 1837-1901
This type of building is the least efficient with solid walls ,suspended timber floors, and very little insulation in the loft. The building is consuming lots of energy to keep its occupants warm and losing lots of heat.
The building can be improved by adding insulation to the external/internal walls and loft . It is also worth considering insulation between the floor joists on the ground floor. An upgrade to a condensing boiler will also improve the rating and energy efficiency of the home.
Note: if you live in a conservation area talk to your local planning office, and conservation officer about planning approval for more advice.
1980s Semi
This property had been upgraded by the owner with 250mm of insulation in the roof. Cavity walls had also been insulated whilst being built and double glazing improved. This helped the home achieve a higher rating . The boiler was also a modern combination boiler which makes this home very efficient.
2004 Semi
Example of a very energy efficient building with excellent levels of insulation and a condensing boiler.
Note: We are not able to carry out inspections to a property if its is uninhabitable or dangerous, where children are alone or dogs are free to roam the house. We carry out a full risk assessment on site, and are not allowed to enter other peoples gardens or property.
We carry id badges and can provide a password if required. All Domestic Energy Assessors are CRB checked and have both professional indemnity and liability insurance. Our assessment must not be intrusive or cause any damage to the property.
Arriving at the property:
Any records of structural alterations, extensions or changes to the building should be made available to us to assist us providing an accurate Energy Performance Assessment The list includes any extension records, building control work ie: cavity wall insulation (which should have guarantees) loft insulation, double glazing, and heating upgrades. If these are not available at the time of visit please make them available to us promptly.
Outside
A visual look at the building whilst on the site will give us clues of age band by looking at the construction of the walls, the general layout of the home, and by visual examination of the street.
Inside
We investigate the home in greater detail. This will involve measuring the home, calculating the heat loss walls,floor areas, number of floors, and habitable rooms. This includes parts extending out of the perimeter of the home (such as bay windows) We then look at how the home is currently heated by investigating the following whilst at the site
· The type of heating in the home i.e.: Electric, Gas ,Oil or LPG
· How the heating is currently used and by what methods, controls and functions any secondary heating such as gas fires, open fires, or underfloor heating.
· Hot water systems and how this is stored or used on demand.
· Lighting what type of lighting is it low voltage or low energy.
· Insulation in the loft will be inspected and the current level of insulation will be recorded.
· Loft conversions, rooms in the roof, alternative walls, and if present solar panels or any other methods of renewable energy.
All this information is recorded on to site notes by hand written records. We will also need to take photographs of the site including elevations, boilers, fires, lights, and any other fixtures or features in the home which are likely to affect the energy rating.
This data is then input into software to establish the energy rating and environmental impact of the home.
Any improvements that can be made to reduce the occupants costs, the carbon emissions of the building and improvements will be then produced in a report. (See Sample Energy Certificate page)
The report will then be lodged with the governments landmark site. At this point the certificate is made available to either your letting Agent ,Estate Agent, Solicitor or anybody that has requested the report.
Note:
It is essential for you to know prior to the inspection that we will need to inspect the whole site . If the building has occupants in it they will need to be aware of this fact. Any difficulty in us not being able to undertake a full inspection will result in a lower rating or us abandoning the visit .
Charges of £20.00 will apply should this be the case. Every attempt will be made to reschedule the appointment.
Any complaints against us will be dealt with in accordance with our complaints procedure ask for details.
CALL US NOW TO ARRANGE YOUR CERTIFICATE ON TEL : 07833 515242
email : sales@barbersepc.org.uk
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