September 15, 2020
On Tuesday 7th July the Government announced a new £2 billion scheme. The scheme helps homeowners across England improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Customers will be able to apply for the Green Homes Grant in September 2020 and it will run until March 2021. The government will provide a voucher towards the cost of installing energy efficient and low-carbon heating improvements to homes in England. The voucher will cover up to two-thirds of the cost for homeowners and landlords, and up to 100% of the cost for low-income households.
How do I get the Green Homes Grant?
Later this month, homeowners a...
September 8, 2020
We wanted to provide a brief update regarding upcoming changes to central EPC register and how the format of the EPC certificate is changing.
The Government is developing a new EPC register in house, moving away from the current provider, Landmark.
The new Energy Performance of Buildings Central Register and EPC format is due for release on Sunday 20th September 2020.
The new register will consolidate the four existing registers, into one; covering all energy assessment strands (Domestic, On Construction, Commercial , DEC and Air-Conditioning), in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Note. the Scottish Register rem...
July 1, 2020
In an article published in The Independent, the Government has made it clear that “local authorities have the power to issue fines of up to £5,000 for landlords to ensure minimum energy efficiency standards are met”, and that they are “working with local authorities to make it even easier for them to issue fines.”
What is MEES?
In April 2018, the Government introduced the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), barring landlords from starting new tenancies for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of F or G, the lowest grading. In April 2020, this rule was expanded to cover all tenancies.
March 2, 2020
As you may be aware, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) introduced the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) for private rented properties in 2016. The standard set out key milestones for landlords to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties.
The next milestone for properties takes effect from 1st April 2020 where landlords must not continue to let a relevant domestic property which is already let, if that property has an EPC rating of Band F or G (unless an exemption applies).
May 1, 2019
Electricity has historically been quite a dirty fuel as it requires the burning of fossil fuels to produce, which emits high levels of CO2. But the grid is changing. Ten years ago only 8% of the grid’s electricity supply was from renewable sources, today that has risen to 38%. The carbon footprint of the grid is getting smaller, and will continue to improve.
What does this mean for EPC ratings?
Currently properties with electrical heating are penalised, as the present EPC calculations are based on the grid being supplied with electricity produced by the burning of fossil fuels – which has high levels of CO2 emissi...
February 8, 2019
The UKs current EPC legislation has been established based on EU legislation, so many people may be asking what will happen to EPCs post Brexit.
Regardless if we are in or out of the EU, the UK still has energy consumption and performance targets to meet:
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The Climate change act 2008. Established by the UK government. This includes a target to cut the UKs Carbon Dioxide emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050.
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The Paris 2015 agreement. The UK along with 195 other countries signed up to an agreement of keeping global temperatures rises well below 2C and will strive for 1.5C.
Both of these targets will...
September 6, 2018
Sebastian joins our team at IDEA Ltd. as a Level 3 Commercial Energy Assessor. Having been working at Dyson for the past 6 years, he has decided to move back to Shropshire and join IDEA Ltd. He brings with him experience of working for a big technology company, a passion for old Minis and trail running.
Sebastian joining IDEA Ltd. gives us greater capacity to deliver commercial assessments to meet the needs of our clients. For any commercial assessment enquiries please get in touch.
August 22, 2018
There are a few measures that can be taken in order to prepare a property for a site visit before the assessor arrives in order to help your property achieve a better score and ensure that the assessment can take place.
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Install low energy lighting into all light fittings
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Ensure any planned improvements are already completed prior to the assessment. The assessor must assess as seen. For example loft insulation must be laid down in situ and radiators need to be plumbed in.
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Access will be required to all rooms of the property, this includes access to cellars.
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The assessor is required to t...
August 22, 2018
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) apply to all rented properties in England and Wales which are legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and which are let on a relevant tenancy type.
The PRS Exemptions Register is for properties which are legally required to have an EPC, and which are let on a relevant tenancy type, but which cannot be improved to meet the minimum standard of EPC band E for one of the reasons set out below.
Where an exemption applies, the exemption must be registered by the landlord (or an agent for the landlord); this registration is made on a self-certifica...
June 25, 2018
I attended a presentation yesterday which was focussed on the new Commercial EPC conventions, that come into place on Sunday 1st July 2018. Whilst there are a number of new conventions, there is one main part that will be of particular note to any property agents and landlords. This is a change on an unheated unit, that is a unit (usually a portal frame) with no personnel spaces other than an unheated toilet.
Typically these units score quite badly with respect to MEES, as the expectation and convention is to assume a (usually small) toilet requires heating. This inevitably leads to a poor rating, often an F or...
