A major government update to the EPC software was brought into effect in July 2022 to bring the EPC calculation methodology up to date. This was the biggest overall update of the software for 10 years and has produced some big impacts on EPC ratings.
We re-calculated around 100 EPCs that had been processed on the previous version of the software, to see what impact the new updates had on their EPC ratings. This was done without making any alterations to the model. Our findings from that exercise shocked us, with the following key results:
Heating systems are now having the biggest impact on the EPC rating.
The good news...
The not so good news...
Properties with predominately Old GLS bulbs and Halogen Downlights are still likely to get an very poor rating (potentially F or G).
The key takeaway is that properties need to move away from gas to an electric-only setup, ideally with air conditioning providing the heating.
EPCs that are already registered on the central register are still valid until they expire, however it should be noted that any EPC with an expiry date before 15th July 2032 will not achieve the same rating if run again under the new software.
We also suggest that if you are looking at buying any new properties, have a DRAFT EPC carried out on the property to confirm the EPC rating before purchasing, as the old EPC could be wildly different under the new regulations. This could be useful for negotiating the price or seeing if the property is better than advertised.
Please don’t hesitate in contacting us for more information on this!
Your helpful team at SEA
We re-calculated around 100 EPCs that had been processed on the previous version of the software, to see what impact the new updates had on their EPC ratings. This was done without making any alterations to the model. Our findings from that exercise shocked us, with the following key results:
Heating systems are now having the biggest impact on the EPC rating.
The good news...
- Properties with electric-based heating are getting improved EPC ratings.
- Heating by electric radiators is typically having a 1-grade improvement.
- Heating by air-conditioned only is typically having a 1-2 grade improvement.
The not so good news...
- Properties with natural gas or oil-based heating are now getting worse EPC ratings
- Properties heated by Natural Gas Boilers are typically having a 1-grade drop.
- Industrial Units where the warehouse area is heated by natural gas can have a 1-3 grade drop. Properties that were rated a ‘D’ before are now ‘F’ or ‘G’ rated.
- We did not have many examples for oil-based heating, but were seeing similar results to natural gas.
Properties with predominately Old GLS bulbs and Halogen Downlights are still likely to get an very poor rating (potentially F or G).
The key takeaway is that properties need to move away from gas to an electric-only setup, ideally with air conditioning providing the heating.
EPCs that are already registered on the central register are still valid until they expire, however it should be noted that any EPC with an expiry date before 15th July 2032 will not achieve the same rating if run again under the new software.
We also suggest that if you are looking at buying any new properties, have a DRAFT EPC carried out on the property to confirm the EPC rating before purchasing, as the old EPC could be wildly different under the new regulations. This could be useful for negotiating the price or seeing if the property is better than advertised.
Please don’t hesitate in contacting us for more information on this!
Your helpful team at SEA