Why EPC ratings matter
According to Santander’s Buying into the Green Homes Revolution report, only two in five homeowners know what their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is. In addition to this lack of understanding of what EPC ratings are, more than half (53%) of the homeowners surveyed believed they cannot afford to retrofit their homes.
What are EPC ratings?
An EPC rating is essentially a review of a property’s energy efficiency. These ratings, which are aimed at encouraging homeowners and landlords to adopt energy-saving measures, were first introduced in 2007 and became a legal requirement in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2008, followed by Scotland from 2009.
EPC ratings range from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is based on the amount of energy used per square metre, as well as the level of carbon dioxide emissions produced in tonnes per year. To determine the EPC, every element of a property, including walls, roof, windows, heating, and lighting, is rated from very poor to very good.
While an EPC rating reflects a property’s overall energy efficiency, it is also a useful tool for improving the efficiency, reducing the running costs, and thus increasing the overall comfort of a home.
Landlords and EPCs
Statistically landlords fare a little better, with 47.55% not only knowing what EPC ratings are, but believing that they are ‘very or extremely important’, according to a recent article by Property Reporter.
As per the government’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), all privately leased homes in England and Wales must have an EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher as of 2025, with similar changes coming into effect in 2028 to cover all tenancies. However, according to figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, approximately 59% of domestic properties have an EPC rating of D to G, so there is much work to be done to reach the 2025 target.
The introduction of these stricter regulations means landlords must invest in energy efficiency upgrades now. This will not only help private landlords to avoid hefty fines, but will also increase the value of their properties, help them to secure better rental yields, and ultimately benefit their tenants.
Homeowner awareness and engagement
It is clear that many homeowners (and some private landlords) need help to understand EPCs and how employing energy-efficiency measures can improve their property’s rating. This is where installers are primed to help – because they are more informed, they are better able to guide and educate property owners through their retrofit journeys.
In fact, installers play an important role in helping homeowners rise to the retrofit challenge. By using the Heero App, installers have access to all the required elements – built into a single platform – to offer their customers personalised home energy insights and recommendations.
The app also provides valuable information on the financing and installation of energy-saving home improvements and due to partnerships with various Financial Services Providers, installers are able to easily overcome another common retrofit obstacle – access to finance.
Although Heero is not a direct-to-consumer app, the benefits of the technology to homeowners are clear – it offers personalised energy recommendations whilst addressing challenges such as the disruption caused by invasive energy efficiency measures and confusion over financing and government funding.
Additionally, it identifies the most effective improvements to help improve EPC ratings, streamlines the user experience, and ultimately equips homeowners with the knowledge and tools to make decisions that will positively impact their cost of living while decarbonising their homes.
Of course, installers also gain from using the technology. Benefits of the Heero App include lead generation, a built-in compliance service, inbound and outbound customer communications, instant booking, and even a marketing tool – everything installers need to streamline and scale operations while delivering great customer service.
If you are an installer and wish to be part of our growing network of tradespeople focused on driving energy efficiency in homes across the UK, call us on 0333 0903050 or send an email to supplychain@heerotechnologies.com.