IDEA Ingham Energy Ltd

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...

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:

• 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.

• 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...

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.

• Install low energy lighting into all light fittings

• 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.

• Access will be required to all rooms of the property, this includes access to cellars.
   

• The assessor is required to t...

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...

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...

The Government is introducing minimum energy efficiency standards that are coming into place. This will apply to both domestic and non-domestic (commercial) properties. This legislation means that property owners may not be able to rent F or G grade buildings, unless an exemption has been registered. 

As a business IDEA Ltd is already advising clients in both sectors as to how to improve their properties so as to how an E grade or better might be achieved. 

Already parts of the legislation are being applied.

From 1st April 2018 there will be a prohibition on new tenancies (including extensions and renewals) for all...