EPCs and CO2

Which countries have the greatest carbon footprint? As of research conducted by Pitney Bowes, collecting the latest data from around the globe, the country with the greatest carbon footprint per capita is the United States, with 20.1 tons of CO2 per capita. But numbers two, three, and four may surprise you.

Per capita, they are . . .

• United States (20.1 tons)
• Canada (18.4 tons)
• Belgium (14.3 tons)
• Finland (11.8 tons)
• France (6.7 tons)
• Germany (10.5tons)
• Netherlands (16.6 tons)
• Spain (8.8 tons)
• Switzerland (6.1 tons)
• United Kingdom (9.7 tons)

I can't say I am suprised to see how much is produced by the United States but the level of CO2 from Belgium is a suprise.

So lets say the US and Canada as the two largest producers of CO2 per capita start using the EPC with the addition of the recommendations of the EPC (don't forget am more than happy to visit either country to demonstrate the EPC) have to be carried out wouldn't we, as a global community, see a huge benefit?

I carried out an EPC this morning on a pre 1900 property and if the owner/landlord carried out the recommendations there would be a difference of over 10 points from the current 31on the environmental impact graph to a potential 41. At present the carbon dioxide emmissions from the property are 8.1 tonnes, with the potential if the recommendations were followed to be reduced to 6.4 tonnes - thats a reduction of 1.7 tonnes on just one property!If every property was assessed in the world just think of the difference it could make!

Worry and dreams

I'm sitting here alone at my computer, kids are all organised so it is fairly peaceful in my house at the moment and I am having a moment of worry..........................do I do the RICs Associate course?
I have always wanted to be a chartered surveyor, I have put myself through numerous courses, studied into the early hours and then gone to work and looked after a small baby, took jobs I didn't really want that came with a paycut just to get more experience and I am now looking at the work required and wondering if I can do it?

I know I will buckle down and get on with it but its nice every now and again to remind yourself of how far you have come and that your dream is finally going to be within reach.

I have another dream and that is for the EPCs to be fully promoted within this country - the Green Deal brings with it a whole new range of possibilities, with a little tweaking the EPCs could provide the full advise to the householder/landlords and the Government would have an army of people who are already trained ready to go out and put that part of the Green Deal into motion.

DEAs have been promised the world by training providers (that mysteriously disappeared in the end) and there are still adverts/emails appearing offering people the chance of a fantastic new career within the energy assessing industry where as the actual truth is that there is already more than enough trained energy assessors within the UK and unless you are guaranteed work by a very trustworthy source then you really shouldn't train. I love my career and am very happy to do the work but at the moment I would advise people against paying any money to become a DEA.

I do hope that if any other country begins putting EPCs or something similar in place that they monitor the training providers and make sure that the trainee energy assessors are not taken for a ride.

The Green Deal - Advice to householders who provides it?

Green Deal Advisers

An important aspect of the Green Deal will be the provision of personalised advice to householders. It is likely, but yet to be confirmed, that the role of these advisers will be to:

• produce a fabric assessment, along the lines of an improved EPC, where one does not already exist. Current work to improve the EPC should position it to deliver this element of the Green Deal;
• provide personalised face to face advice to householders on the most appropriate energy efficiency measures for their home using the fabric assessment as the basis for that advice;
• provide advice on behavioural changes that an occupier can make to reduce energy consumption;
• lodge an updated EPC on the Register following installation of the measures.

It is important to stress that the detail of the Green Deal is still being developed so the proposed Green Deal Adviser role has yet to be finalised and is subject to change.

Qualifications and Training

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Home and Community Energy Advisers were published in June 2009. Those standards were developed at a time when a rather different role was envisaged for HEAs. While many of the skills and competencies prescribed in the NOS are likely to be relevant to the role of the Green Deal Adviser, there will be a range of other skills and knowledge that an adviser working under the auspices of the Green Deal will require.
Asset Skills, the awarding bodies and others, are to update the NOS to ensure that it reflects all of the skills that will be required for the Green Deal. We expect to complete this process early next year, following which appropriate qualifications will be developed and brought forward. It follows that a suitable qualification for people wanting to become Green Deal Adviser does not currently exist.
DEAs are already qualified to produce EPCs. If it is decided that EPCs should form the basis of a Green Deal inspection, then they will be well placed to upgrade their skills and become Green Deal Advisers. We are working to ensure that the revised NOS takes account of the skills of existing DEAs and, where appropriate, that they are exempt from those elements of the standards that cover areas in which they are already qualified.

Green Deal providers

Green Deal providers will be organisations that have decided to become involved in the financing and delivery of the Green Deal. It will be for them to decide whether they recruit advisers directly, engage with them on a contractual basis or make other arrangements.

Accreditation

All Green Deal Advisers will need to belong to an accreditation scheme. It is envisaged that such schemes will need to be in place by early 2012.

 

So judging by the above it is hopeful that the Government will use the DEAs to produce the advice to householders - after all by the sounds of it they are already 50% qualified, if not more, have been working within the industry and with householders already, and have been badly burnt by the credit crunch, housing market, bad training providers and a variety of other problems. It would be ideal if the DEAs were used and finally give them an additional stream of income whilst promoting and emphasing how important the EPC and energy saving matters really are.

Rewards for buyers and Sellers for energy efficient properties!

The government is looking at how stamp duty could be used to reward buyers and sellers for making a property more energy efficient – particularly if it falls in the lower F or G bands on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). That covers 20% of the British housing stock – just under 5.5 million homes.

The proposal would add 0.5% extra levy on normal stamp duty rates for those homes. So that’s clearly the tax side. But if the property was improved to at least an E rating on an EPC, the homeowner would receive a refund of the 0.5% – plus a rebate of another 0.5%. That money would be paid through savings in your energy bill. So that’s the incentive! Energy efficiency is one of the cheapest and easiest ways of cutting carbon. But the government has to help homeowners see all the benefits. Stamp duty reform is one of the best tools it can use.

The Government has extended the Green Deal to the rental sector - tweaking flagship scheme so landlords cannot refuse "reasonable requests" for energy efficiency improvements, but commercial properties still in limbo at present. The government has confirmed it is to extend the Green Deal to cover rented properties, although it is still unsure if commercial properties will be included in its plan to upgrade the energy efficiency of Britain's buildings.

Under the scheme, home improvements are paid for by energy companies or other commercial firms which then recoup the cost through charges on energy bills. Repayments are set at a level lower than the savings achieved through the energy efficiency improvements, ensuring that households and businesses taking part in the scheme end up better off.

Today, the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc) said that from 2015, landlords will be unable to refuse any "reasonable requests" by tenants for energy efficiency measures such as loft or cavity wall insulation to be installed.

Under new powers, councils may also be able to insist that landlords improve the worst-performing homes.

 I am hopeful that given the above we might finally be seeing the value of a professional Domestic Energy Assessor who produces accurate and efficent EPCs going up!

Promoting the EPC

I was feeling a little nostalgic this morning and have had a look at the live web chat I did with Mumsnet to promote EPCs and DEAs.(this is the link if you want a lookwww.mumsnet.com/onlinechats/charlotte-lawrance) 

I can't honestly believe how much I typed or answered during the session although it was immense fun and I think very worthwhile. If this industry is to get the recognition it deserves then DEAs need to promote how worthwhile the EPC is and make everyone aware of how it should be done and what happens. Nowadays people know what service to expect from solicitors and estate agents and I feel it is as important that they know what to expect from a DEA - thats why I put the code of conduct up on this blog.

Have got a very busy family day today - decorating for Halloween and agility with Dave the puppy so am going to keep this post short and sweet, hope everyone has a fantastic day x 

Ok the UK have EPCs whats everyone else have?

I have been having a look online today to see what is other countries are doing to reduce the carbon footprint.

I have found that on average, every American is responsible for about 22 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year, according to statistics compiled by the United Nations but there is no EPC or similar type of survey in the US according to my searches.

I looked at several other countries to see what they had that was similar to the EPC and again couldn't find anything. Maybe it is the way I am searching or the words I put in the search engine but surely other countries should have something similar to the EPC to help reduce the carbon footprint of commercial and domestic properties.

I only hope that if they do take up the EPC in USA and other countries that they put a cap on the training providers! And I can always hope that I might get invited over to demonstrate the value of the EPC!

DEA code of conduct

I have copied the code of conduct for DEAs below - I do think its invaluable for DEAs to refresh themselves as to what professional standards are expected from them as well as Vendors/Estate or Letting Agents/Landlords being able to clearly see what the DEA is expected to do.

If you have a DEA round to your property who doesn't follow the code of conduct below you can and should complain.

Code of Conduct for Domestic Energy Assessors

1. Introduction

1.1 This document is the Code of Practice (‘the Code’) for Domestic Energy Assessors.

1.2 The Code sets out the principles that must be followed and applied by all Domestic

Energy Assessors.

1.3 The Code forms part of a wider package of registration and disciplinary information with

which Domestic Energy Assessors must comply.

2. Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this Code is to set out the rules and standards of conduct that are

expected of Domestic Energy Assessors and to inform members of the public about the

standards of conduct that they can expect from a Domestic Energy Assessor.

2.2 This Code aims to promote:

2.2.1 the best standards of practice by Domestic Energy Assessors; and

2.2.2 confidence in the integrity of the Accreditation Scheme, Domestic Energy

Assessors and the Energy Performance Certificate.

3. Application

3.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must ensure that they understand and comply with this

Code and any accompanying guidance.

3.2 A failure to comply with the Standards set out in the Code or guidance will generally lead

to disciplinary action being taken against a Domestic Energy Assessor by their

Accreditation Scheme.

4. Personal and Professional Standards

4.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must at all times (whether inside or outside work):

4.1.1 act with integrity;

4.1.2 be honest and trustworthy;

4.1.3 be open and transparent in their dealings;

4.1.4 disclose to the Accreditation Scheme any or all of the following matters:

4.1.4.1 that they have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence in the UK

or elsewhere;

4.1.4.2 that they have been referred for a disciplinary hearing by another

Accreditation Scheme , professional body trade association or regulatory

body, or other similar organisation;

4.1.4.3 that a disciplinary allegation has been found proved against them by

another Accreditation Scheme , professional body trade association or

regulatory body, or other similar organisation;

4.1.4.4 the institution against them of bankruptcy or directors’

disqualification order;

4.1.4.5 the making of a bankruptcy or directors’ disqualification

proceeding; or

4.1.4.6 if they enter into an individual voluntary arrangement with

creditors;

4.1.5 assist the Accreditation Scheme in any disciplinary inquiry involving

another Domestic Energy Assessor;

4.1.6 recognise the limits of their professional competence;

4.1.7 keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date;

4.1.8 avoid abusing their position as a Domestic Energy Assessor; and

4.1.9 comply with the requirements of the Accreditation Scheme s of which they are a

member and their governing legislation.

4.2 A Domestic Energy Assessor must not engage in conduct that:

4.2.1 damages the reputation of Domestic Energy Assessors;

4.2.2 diminishes public confidence in the Accreditation Scheme, Home

Inspectors or the Energy Performance Certificate; or

4.2.3 damages the trust placed in Domestic Energy Assessors by lenders and

other professionals who may need to rely upon their work.

4.2.3 A Domestic Energy Assessor must not exploit the vulnerability of consumers or take

advantage of their lack of knowledge of the home buying and selling process.

5. Skills and ability

5.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must:

5.1.1 only act if competent to do so;

5.1.2 carry out their work with reasonable skill and care;

5.1.3 maintain their professional knowledge and skill by participating in lifelong learning

and recording the outcomes; and

5.1.4 observe and keep up to date with laws and statutory codes of practice that

affect their work.

6. Conflicts of interest

6.1 A Domestic Energy Assessor must at all times give an unbiased opinion.

6.2 A Domestic Energy Assessor must not give or accept any inducement, gift or

hospitality that may affect or may be seen to affect their judgement.

6.3 A Domestic Energy Assessor must be satisfied that the seller is being or has been

provided with written information concerning whether the Domestic Energy Assessor has

any personal or business relationship with any person involved in the sale of the property

and that the seller will sign or has signed a declaration that they understand the

implications of the information.

6.4 A Domestic Energy Assessor must not prepare a Energy Performance Certificate if to do

so would cause a conflict with the interests of sellers.

6.5 If, in the course of preparing a Energy Performance Certificate, a conflict with the

interests of the seller or other professionals arises, the Domestic Energy Assessor

must decline the instructions to prepare the Report.

6.6 If a risk of conflict arises, it must be managed in accordance with any guidance issued by

the Accreditation Scheme.

7. Advertising

7.1 Domestic Energy Assessors may only promote and advertise their services in a

clear, honest and lawful manner.

7.2 Any advertisement placed by a Domestic Energy Assessor must comply with scheme

standards and with statutory and national standards to ensure that all advertisements are

legal, honest and truthful and that they are clearly identifiable as an advertisement.

8. Marketing

8.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must operate under fair and honest sales practices.

8.2 Domestic Energy Assessors must not:

8.2.1 engage in any commercial practices that are misleading or likely to mislead

buyers, sellers or lenders;

8.2.2 use physical force, harassment, coercion or undue influence;

8.2.3 be party to charging fees that are discriminatory or excessive;

8.2.4 exploit the trust vulnerability or lack of experience of buyers, sellers or

lenders; or

8.2.5

encourage or condone unsafe or harmful practices.

8.3 If Domestic Energy Assessors offer sellers or buyers other services and/or

products, they must:

8.3.1 act lawfully and responsibly in sending sellers or buyers details of those services

and/or products; and

8.3.2 declare any financial benefit that they may receive as a result of sellers or buyers

using those services and/or products.

9. Information for the seller

9.1 A Domestic Energy Assessor’s offer, to sellers to perform services whether direct or

through a third party, must be clear and truthful and contain all relevant pre-contractual

information.

9.2 When offering to provide a service to produce a Energy Performance Certificate,

Domestic Energy Assessors must be satisfied that sellers are provided with details in

writing of:

9.2.1 the terms, conditions and costs associated with instructing th

e

Domestic Energy Assessor

9.2.2 the key features of the Energy Performance Certificate; their right to see any

personal records Domestic Energy Assessors hold about them what use that may

be made of the data collected by Domestic Energy Assessors;

9.2.3 the fee for the work, including any tax and duties;

9.2.4 how and when the Energy Performance Certificate will be delivered;

9.2.5 the existence and conditions of a right of withdrawal;

9.2.6 the policy and procedure for cancellation of services and the payment of

refunds;

9.2.7 the complaint and redress and appeals procedures; and

9.2.8 a reference to this Code.

10. Confidentiality

10.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must explain to sellers that information about the

completion of the Energy Performance Certificate has to be placed on the Register of

Energy Performance Certificates.

10.2 Domestic Energy Assessors must treat all sellers’ personal information as private and

confidential (even when they are no longer a customer of the Domestic Energy

Assessor).

10.3 Domestic Energy Assessors must not reveal any personal information about sellers

unless:

10.3.1 the sellers have given permission for the information to be revealed;

10.3.2 the Domestic Energy Assessor has to reveal the information by law; or

10.3.3 there is a ‘common law’ duty to the public to reveal the information.

10.4 Domestic Energy Assessors must notify sellers that their contact details may be used

during the process for monitoring the compliance and performance of Domestic Energy

Assessors.

11. Diversity

11.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must not unlawfully or unjustifiably discriminate against

any individual in their practice as Domestic Energy Assessors.

11.2 Domestic Energy Assessors must not discriminate against any individual on the basis of

gender, race or disability or allow their views of the lifestyle, culture, belief, colour,

gender, sexuality or age of others to prejudice their professional practice and

relationships.

12. Insurance

12.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must ensure that all Energy Performance Certificates

undertaken by them are covered by adequate and appropriate indemnity insurance

cover, as prescribed in the insurance standards adopted by Accreditation Schemes.

13. Complaints procedure

13.1 Domestic Energy Assessors must participate in a complaints handling system as

prescribed by the Accreditation Scheme.

13.2 Domestic Energy Assessors must ensure that:

13.2.1 complaints are initially acknowledged in writing, and the acknowledgement sets

out a likely timescale for resolving the complaint;

13.2.2 there is a named individual who is responsible for complaints and who has the

authority to resolve complaints, if appropriate; and

13.2.3 complainants are informed that if they want to take their complaint further, the

complaint can be referred to a Accreditation Scheme complaints handling process.

14. Publicity

Domestic Energy Assessors must make this Code available to a member of the

public upon request.

EPC - explained

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is one of many new measures that are being applied across the EU member countries to improve energy efficiency. An EPC provides two key pieces of information.

• The energy efficiency of a property on a scale from A – G ( The most efficient being A and G the least efficient)
• The environmental impact of a property.

It also provides recommendations and cost effective ways to improve the energy efficiency of a property. The benefit is that, if acted upon, this can mean lower energy bills due to the lower energy consumption and in turn lower carbon emissions.

When is an EPC required?

By 2009 as part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive ( EPBD ) all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold, or rented out will be required to have an EPC.

• An EPC is required when you sell or let your property and is valid for 10 years.
• Landlords must provide an EPC to prospective tenants, the first time the property is let. The EPC is valid for ten years.

Why is an EPC important?

All EPC’s on existing homes are produced using the same methodology. This means that all home owners and occupiers can compare the energy efficiency of different properties – in a similar way to comparing the fuel consumption of different cars.
Part of the EPC is a recommendation report which will list the potential rating that your house would achieve, if the changes were made. This information can be used to –

• Cut fuel bills.
• Improve energy performance in the home.
• Help cut carbon emissions.

How is an EPC produced?

An EPC can only be produced by either a Domestic Energy Assessor or a Home Inspector who must be approved by either a Government accreditation or certification scheme. The assessor will visit the property to assess the energy related features. These are then entered into a computer programme which is a calculation model, developed by the Government, known as RdSap (Reduced Data Standard assessment procedure).
This is a cost based rating system using predetermined assumptions and therefore rates the house on its “built in” energy efficiency rather than the actual energy consumed.

EPC Format

The EPC shows information relevant to the individual property in the form of tables and a graph similar to that seen on domestic appliances. The EPC is split into the following sections –

• Asset Rating.
• Estimated Energy Use.
• Summary of energy performance features.
• Recommendations.

Asset Rating

The Asset Rating section displays the Energy Efficiency Rating and Environmental Impact Rating.

The performance of the property is rated in terms of the energy used per square metre of floor area, energy efficiency based on fuel costs and environmental impact based on carbon (CO2) emissions.
The numbered arrows in the Asset rating display shows the current rating based on the existing energy performance of the property and a potential rating based on the suggested improvements being implemented.

Estimated Energy Usage

The Estimated Energy section shows the estimated energy use, carbon dioxide (C02) emissions and fuel costs of the dwelling. The figures are based on standardised assumptions about occupancy, heating patterns and geographical location. This means that the figures displayed will be different to the actual fuel cost. The reasons for this are:

• RDSAP uses a standard heating pattern within the calculation, of 9 hours each weekday and 16 hours a day at the weekend, and assumes that the main living area is heated at 21o C and the remainder of the dwelling at 18 o C. This may be different to the actual heating pattern of the person living there, but it enables the property to be compared on a like for like basis.
• The model also assumes that the number of occupants is proportional to the floor area of the dwelling and hot water usage is calculated using the same proportions. Therefore if a single person is living in a 5 bedroom house, the energy used for hot water in the model and, displayed on the EPC, will be higher than the actual usage. Again this procedure allows all properties to be compared on an equal basis.
• In addition the model assumes that all properties are based in the middle of England, and uses the average outside temperature of that region for the heating calculations. However, a property in the Southwest of England is likely to require less energy for heating than a comparable property in the Northwest – which would be reflected in the actual bills.
• If the property has 2 heating systems present, a primary or ‘main’ heating system; perhaps a gas boiler with radiators and a secondary or ‘top-up’ heating system; maybe an open coal fire, the model assumes that up to 15% of the space heating is provided by the secondary system. The efficiency of the secondary system is likely to be much lower than that of the primary system and will therefore push the energy costs up. It may be that the secondary system is rarely used and would not contribute to 15% of the space heating, but again so as to compare properties fairly these are the standard assumptions made in the model.
• The energy use displayed in the EPC also includes the energy consumed in producing and delivering the fuel to the dwelling, and thus will be greater than the energy actually used in the dwelling.

Summary of Energy Performance related features

The summary of energy performance related features section of the EPC shows the most crucial energy related elements of the property. The table is broken down into different elements of the property and displays its current energy efficiency and environmental performance. The descriptions are based on the data that has been collected specific to the property’s thermal and heating elements, these are Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good and Very Good.
In some cases, due to the RDSAP calculation methodology, some of the elements have to be assumed. Floors are a prime example of this as it is not possible for a DEA to identify whether any additional floor insulation is present as the survey is non invasive ie a DEA cannot use a drill to lift floorboards or pull back carpeting.
Some of the descriptions could lead to concern from the homeowner and it is necessary to explain the reasoning behind these. For example, if the energy efficiency of hot water is given as ‘poor’, this could be due to the cost of electricity compared to the cost of gas. The environmental impact could also be rated as ‘poor’ due to the carbon emissions associated with electricity generation.

Recommendations

The recommendations section list measures that can improve the SAP rating of the property. These are separated into;

• Lower cost measures – below £500 installation costs.
• Higher cost measures – above £500 installation costs.

The measures are assessed cumulatively in a predetermined order, and are only included if they make a measurable change to the energy efficiency of the building.
This section also displays typical savings per year, and shows the Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact rating as a result of these improvements.
The Asset rating displays the potential ratings for lower and higher measures only.
Finally, there is a description of each recommendation, as well as how it can be used to improve energy efficiency of the home. It also gives advice as to the application / installation of the recommendation.  For more information visit  epc.direct.gov.co.uk
(source – NHER Factsheet).

Simple Facts

There are lots of "experts" in the field of saving energy. There are alot of middle men as well.

The simple facts are -
1. An EPC is required if you are selling or renting your property.
2. A DEA is the only person accredited and trained to carry out the EPC.
3. An EPC can save you lots of money on heating bills and provide good advice.

A DEA is accredited, trained and CRB checked. If you employ a DEA to carry out an EPC on your property then they are not going to try (or they shouldn't) to get you to change gas/electric suppliers or sell you anything else while they are a guest in your property. They are not bias and will not start recommending that Joe Bloggs down the road comes round to give you a quote for putting more loft insulation in.

If you are looking for an EPC for your property because you are intending to sell/rent your property or simply because you want a report to help you save money on your heating bills this winter then the only person to contact is a DEA.

There are several ways of finding a DEA -
Searching on the internet https://www.epcregister.com/searchAssessor.html  (Landmark site)
Letting your estate/letting agent deal with it for you
Ringing round
Using a middle man.

These middle men promise to organise the EPC for you and to save you lots of money in the meantime.
Whilst there are reputable "middle" men out there I would always recommend using a local DEA who has been recommended by someone you know or the estate agent. If you do use a middle man always "google" them prior to giving them any money to make sure that they are a reputable company. Just remember you are the client and as such you should be treated with respect and be provided with an accurate EPC by the DEA of your choice.

Winter is coming

I have been out today to carry out some EPCs and I am so cold!

Everyone is now starting to put their heating on and wrap up warmly as the tempretures start to plummet in preparation for Winter 2010, which according to the weather predictions is going to be a cold one.

If we are wrapping ourselves and our children up why aren't we wrapping our homes up? The credit crunch is still lingering and people are tight for money (even more so with less than 10 weeks till Christmas) so why not look at how to reduce those heating bills during the coming months?

A few simple and very effective things to do are:
1. How is the hot water cylinder insulated? if its just a jacket get an extra one round it.
2. How much insulation is in your loft? Insulating the loft to 300mm will reduce the heating loss.
3. See what grants/free installations are available in your area for cavity wall insulation.
4. Low energy lightbulbs.

Homeowners are the first to see and feel the benefit of correctly insulating their homes and being able to save that extra money and energy has got to be an early christmas present.

What a difference an EPC makes

I fully believe in EPCs. To be honest I wouldn't carry them out if I didn't. But I have to admit that one of my main wishes is that EPCs are promoted more as the useful tool that they are - I carried one out on my late mother in laws house 2 years ago and the benefit that she gained from it was brilliant. She had an end of terrace 1950s' cavity build local authority property with 50mm of loft insulation and no cavity wall insulation. The boiler at the time had just been updated to a combination boiler and there were TRVs on the radiators as well as a programmer and wall thermostat to control the heating.
When she had the EPC she went to the Local Council who then helped her by getting the loft insulation upgraded to 300mm and having the cavity wall insulation put in.
This saved her over 40% on her heating bills during the course of that winter and as an OAP was brilliant for her.

Its difficult to explain how strongly I feel about the need for greater awareness about the value of the EPC and the grants that are available for better insulation etc - not only will this save people money but it saves energy.