In recent years, finding ways to reduce energy consumption and save on utility bills has become a top priority for many homeowners. But improving home energy efficiency is not only a smart financial decision. It’s also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and positively impact the environment too. So how should you go about it for best results?
In this post, we’ll share our founder (and former property developer) Matt Throup’s journey to improving his own home’s EPC rating. And provide tips and insight into small but significant changes you can make to your property, based on his expertise. Read to learn how to make your home more energy efficient and start enjoying savings on your monthly bills asap!
What is an EPC rating?
First things first, let’s explain what we mean by EPC rating. Energy performance certificates rate a property’s energy efficiency based on what it costs to heat and light. EPCs are required when selling or letting a house, and give new tenants an indication of running costs.
The highest rating is “A” which signifies that the property is extremely energy efficient, while “G” is the worst. But given that home energy efficiency is now deemed either important or very important by 88% of prospective buyers, the closer you can get to “A”, the better!
Despite this, most homes in the UK currently fall into band “D”, meaning there are several areas for improvement. Which this is exactly where Matt found himself 7 years ago…
Where Matt’s home energy efficiency journey began
Originally built in 1969, Matt’s detached family home was originally an “F” on the EPC rating. By the time he bought it in 2017, this had increased to the average “D” rating. But he was still keen to improve it further, and so the project began whilst installing a home extension.
Matt explains: “Originally the house was 4 bedrooms, but I have extended it and it now has 4 / 5 bedrooms with an additional gym / office. Extending the property provided an opportunity to use my experience and expertise to significantly improve the energy efficiency, making it more comfortable and cheaper to run.”
What’s more, Matt set out with the intention of raising his home’s EPC rating to the top band – no small task! Let’s take a look at the steps he took and how it turned out…
What did Matt do to achieve EPC rating “A”?
Upgraded the windows
Did you know that single glazed windows lose heat twice as fast as double glazed windows? As such, installing reliable windows with an air pocket to limit heat transfer is key to boosting home energy efficiency. In Matt’s case, he chose modern “E” glass windows with a thermal coating to reflect heat back into the house. A clever hack for reducing your cold season bills.
However, even standard double glazed uPVC windows can help you save energy at home by reducing heat loss and draughts. Prices vary depending on size and style, but typically range from £600-£1,800 per window, according to Everest – definitely worth looking into!
Installed cavity wall and loft insulation
Perhaps even more crucial for household energy efficiency, is insulation. In fact, research suggests that up to a third of your home’s heat could be escaping through wall cavities – and even more through your loft! With that in mind, Matt installed multiple different types of insulation throughout his house as a barrier against heat transfer. This included plasterboard in the ground floor extension’s cavity walls and 350mm of loft insulation. Plus extra thermal boards between the joists to the flat roofs and insulated plasterboard for the ceilings.
Additionally, he insulated the following areas to save even more energy:
- Front of the house – thermal boards and a blanket foil quilt over the top
- Front porch, garage door and garage ceiling
- Loft hatch – also fitted with a premium draught excluder
- Solid floor insulation
The result: a home that stays warmer for longer in winter and cooler in the summer!
If you’d like to enjoy similar advantages in your home, fitting cavity wall insulation between your home’s inner and outer walls is paramount. This can be done retrospectively by drilling holes in the external wall and injecting insulation to keep mess and disruption to a minimum. To insulate a semi-detached house this way, you’ll need to pay around £2,700 on average.
Additionally, loft insulation can significantly reduce the amount of heat that gets lost through your roof at it rises. The minimal recommended amount is 270mm thick – though you can add more, as Matt did. And once installed, you can expect to save roughly £100 per year.
Sound good? At Surrey Home Insulation, our team can supply and fit classic blanket fibre insulation or insulated boards for lofts, as preferred. And we can remove old or damaged materials from previous installations. Find out more about our loft insulation service here.
Fitted low energy lightbulbs
Next up, we come to lighting. Research by the Energy Saving Trust suggests that lighting makes up around 11% of the average UK home’s electricity consumption. And that choosing more efficient bulbs counts towards improving your energy performance certificate rating. It’s therefore no surprise then, that Matt swapped out all of his old bulbs with low energy alternatives. And this is something you can easily do too – even with a limited budget!
Whilst LED lightbulbs cost a little more compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, they use at least 80% less energy. Because of this, by making the switch, you could spend around £4 less on the cost of running each bulb annually. LEDS also last around 10 times longer – some suggest up to 25 times longer – so they’re undoubtedly cheaper long-term.
Added thermostatic radiator valves
Another simple but effective way to save energy at home is to install thermostatic radiator valves. Also called TRVs, these dials are fitted to your radiators, allowing you to control their temperatures individually. In other words, you can regulate the heat output in each room based on your specific needs. So for your kitchen and rooms used rarely, you may choose a cooler setting than for your living room. Thus reducing the volume of hot water needed.
Matt did exactly this in his home, without having to compromise on comfort. In fact, a study by BEAMA found that TRVs can save households an average of 18% on winter heating costs. Whilst maintaining a pleasant temperature of 20-21°C in your frequently used rooms. Better still, they can be used with all systems – gas, oil and LPG – so add them if you can!
Installed a new boiler
The next stage of Matt’s EPC rating upgrade was to install a more energy-efficient boiler. Of course, this involved quite a substantial outlay (typically £3,700 for a new gas boiler), but he stresses the importance of updating yours if possible. And he’s not the only one…
Confused.com highlights that as heating accounts for over half of all household energy bills, having a reliable boiler is well worth the money. Because not only will it need less maintenance, but it will also burn fuel more efficiently. Win win!
The Energy Savings Trust also agrees, stating that an “A” rated modern boiler could reduce your gas bill by £340 each year. And cut your carbon emissions too! Or you could go one step further and opt for an even greener air source heat pump if your budget allows. Learn more about this new technology and the associated grants available on Gov.uk.
Invested in solar panels and a battery system
Last but definitely not least, Matt decided to install solar panels on the roof of his home. And also connected a battery that enables him to store energy to use later – ideal for after dark. Of course, incorporating solar power does come at a cost, with average prices sitting around £7,000. You’ll also need an unshaded south facing roof, or at least an east/ west facing one.
However, by reducing your reliance and spend on traditional electricity sources, solar panels are worth the investment over time. So much so that Ridgewater Energy estimates you could see a return of £300 in the first year. Plus the opportunity to sell any energy you don’t use to the national grid via your energy supplier. And solar systems can also increase your home’s value and make it more appealing to buyers. So start saving now if you want to benefit!
The results: how has Matt’s home energy efficiency changed?
Well, thanks to new cavity wall insulation, modern double glazing, loft insulation, a modern boiler, low energy lighting (LED light bulbs) and solar panels, Matt has achieved the top EPC rating of “A”. And since making the improvements, his energy bills have been reduced by approximately 75%. He states: “The house retains its heat for many hours in the winter whereas previously it would get cold within 10 minutes of turning off the heating. In very cold weather, the heating is on for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening.”
Matt also points out that his home is much cooler in the summer too. An added benefit given the more frequent heatwaves we’re seeing due to climate change. And he estimates that the improved home energy efficiency has increased his property’s value by around 15%. Indeed, a study by Mortgage Advice Bureau found that almost half of buyers would choose good insulation over a bigger garden. So the importance of a good home EPC rating is clear!
However, it’s worth noting that the changes Matt made were extensive and therefore, quite costly. And when it comes to older houses with solid brick walls and no cavities, these are usually even more expensive to upgrade. For this reason, Matt suggests purchasing a property with cavity walls wherever possible, if you’re looking to save energy.
Furthermore, you don’t necessarily need to make as many improvements as he did. Matt explains: “Even getting a property to a “B” EPC rating will make a significant and noticeable difference to household bills and how warm the house is over the winter months.” In other words, just change what you can when you can, then work from there. Namely LEDs, thermostatic radiator valves, double glazing and good insulation as top priorities.
Ready to get started?
If you’re keen to improve your household’s energy efficiency and reduce your bills, why not start with quality loft insulation? Our fully insured team have over 30 years of experience under their belts, and an impressive 9.8/10 customer satisfaction rate.
We offer free home visits to assess what’s needed and no-obligation estimates so you know what to expect before going ahead. Contact us now on 07595 671956 to start your Surrey home’s energy efficiency improvement journey right away. Or email us your enquiry to: enquiries@surreyhomeinsulation.co.uk and we’ll get back to your as soon as we can.