Frequently Asked Questions & Energy Saving Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is a DEA?

Answer: DEA's are accredited and licensed Domestic Energy Assessors.

Question: Why do I need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to sell my Home?

Answer: From August 1st 2007 4 bedroom properties (to include all properties later in the year) will require an EPC before they can be placed on the market, this is an E.U. directive. The EPC will form part of the Home Information Pack which from August 1st is a legal requirement for the sale of residential property in the UK.

Question: What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Answer: An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a graphical report showing the energy efficiency and environmental impact of your property.

Question: What does an EPC certificate look like?

Answer: Description and example of the Energy Performance Certificate available on the gov.uk website.

Question: Does an actual survey take place at my property?

Answer: Yes, an internal and external inspection of the property is carried out by a licensed DEA. The survey will take around 1 hour to complete for an average family house, the assessor will make a note of the following:

Confirm age of the property
Note the construction of the walls and roof, checking for signs of cavity insulation
Look for green devices (such as solar electric panels or solar water evacuated tubes)
Confirm how many windows are double glazed and when installed
Count number of fireplaces, open or closed
Check make and model of boiler and the type of flue and fuel used
Calculate the number of low energy bulbs
Confirm type of heating system used and controls
Measure roof insulation
Measure the thickness of the hot water cylinder jacket or foam
Check for excessive window area in larger houses and take precise measurements of conservatories and extensions
Confirm how many 'habitable' rooms are heated
Measure the internal or external areas of the home
Sketch and make relevant notes of the home and room layout

Question: What will the Certificate tell me

Answer: It will provide you with clear information on the energy performance of the property and cost effective means for improvement. Most of the improvements will be under £500.00. Any improvements will make you more comfortable in a warmer and less drafty home. You will also be saving money and reducing your carbon footprint by reducing CO2 emissions.

Question: Will the DEA be affiliated to any energy companies or home improvement companies?

Answer: No, there will be no recommendations made as to which companies to use for energy improvements.

Question: Why an EPC?

Answer: The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is being implemented in stages throughout England and Wales between now and January 2009. The Directive states than an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be produced whenever a building is constructed, sold or rented out.

Energy Saving Tips

Want to reduce your annual energy bill by as much as £300.00 and reduce your household's carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon Footprint) by around two tonnes? Well, here's how you can do it;

Checklist

Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent. You could save around £40 per year.
Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60°C/140°F.
Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).
A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
Use energy saving light bulbs. Just one can save you £100 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
Switch to high-efficiency boilers
If your boiler is over 15 years old it's probably time to replace it. By law, new gas boilers in England and Wales must now be of the high efficiency condensing type, which can help you save up to a third on your heating bills and even more if you upgrade to modern controls as well.
Insulate wall cavities - Around 33% of the heat lost in a non-insulated house is through the walls. You could save up to £160 on energy bills each year by insulating your wall cavities. It also creates an even temperature in your home. If we all filled our wall cavities, we'd save over £960 million of energy a year.
Loft Insulation
Insulating your loft - One of the simplest ways to save energy - you can even install it yourself. Insulate your loft today and in a year you could save between £180 and £220 per annum.
Fit your tank with a jacket - Insulate your hot water tank with a jacket - it only costs a few pounds and, with all the heat it traps in, pays for itself within months. Fit one that's at least 75mm (3") thick and you could save around £20 a year. If every UK household fitted an adequate tank-jacket tomorrow, we'd save over £95 million of energy every year!
Draught dodgers - Draughts also get in through gaps in floorboards and skirting boards, which also allow heat to escape in winter. Stop this waste by filling these gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.
Brush up on energy saving - Eliminate draughts and wasted heat by installing a cheap, easy-to-fix brush or PVC seal on your exterior doors. Letterboxes and keyholes should be covered too. Sealing unused open fireplaces, and their associated ventilation bricks, greatly reduces heat loss from a room.
Look for the Logo
When purchasing new appliances, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. Energy Saving Recommended appliances are the most efficient in their category and could save you up to £45 a year.

Frequently Asked Questions & Energy Saving Tips