What is an EPC and why do I need one?
With Britain committed to bringing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050, and the Government providing a £5000 grant to help with the cost through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, uptake of air source heat pump technology is on the rise.
If you’re considering switching from a fossil fuel boiler to air source heat pump technology, you’ll need an up-to-date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). In this blog we explain what an EPC is and why you need one.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a report which provides information on your home’s energy use and how energy efficient it is. EPC reports grade your home’s energy efficiency on factors such as its insulation, doors and windows. Your home is then given a rating from A-G, with A representing the most energy efficient homes and G representing the least. The higher your home’s energy efficiency, the lower your energy bills are likely to be.
It also has details about the total floor area of your property, which will help your heat pump engineer to decide how powerful an air source heat pump your home might need.
You can find your most recent EPC here.
Why do I need an EPC?
Unlike traditional boilers, which can support large fluctuations in temperature by switching on and off throughout the day, air source heat pumps work best when maintaining a constant, comfortable level of warmth for you and your family. As a result, it’s important that your home is well-insulated and energy efficient before your heat pump is installed.
It’s a good idea to get all insulation that’s recommended on your Energy Performance Certificate, but it’s no longer a requirement for receiving the Boiler Upgrade Scheme heat pump grant of £7,500.
If you don’t have an Energy Performance Certificate, if it has expired or is no longer relevant due to changes to your home (ie you’ve had a loft conversion, or you have installed insulation) our expert team can arrange one for you.
Is my home suitable for an air source heat pump?
If you’re interested in getting an air source heat pump installed, there are a few key criteria you and your home should meet:
- You must be the homeowner (or have permission from the landlord)
- You live in a house or bungalow (not a flat or an apartment)
- You have an up to date EPC, although it is no longer a requirement to have no outstanding requirements in order to get the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant.
If you’d like to learn more about air source heat pumps or are interested in getting a no-obligation quote, our heating experts are on hand and can help answer any questions you may have.
