Essential Guides & Advice Energy Performance Certificates

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1. This was very interesting, asI have been looking into ways of improving efficiency in my home. like your all my walls are concrete/old victorian style, but enegy saving llight bulbs, solar panels,a re all something i can look into. cheers v interesting

   Posted by rgawthorne on 13/10/2008 14:02:17

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2. I read your article with interest, and indeed in this "case study" the assessor has observed the many facets that are required on the RdSAP (Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure). RdSAP has to make certain assumptions about the property construction, lighting and heating parameters the latter based on "average usage", with this program it is possible to predict an energy assessment of a property based on these principles. DEA's know this, the alternative would be to conduct an "invasive survey" such as remove floorings to determine construction, remove boardings in loft spaces to determine insulation values. Clearly, the homeowner would not wish their home torn apart to determine these factors, hence RdSAP makes certain assumptions about areas with no access, usually based on the age of the property build. In this particular case double glazing could not be recommended as the property is in a conservation area, the only real option here is to install secondary glazing. The assessor in this study had suggested reasonable improvements to make the home more energy efficient. Photovoltaic panels, although a good renewable energy source have a long "payback" time, due to the expense incurred. Similarly, due to the recent increases in gas and electricity prices there has been a rush of interest in domestic wind turbines, probably sold on the pretext that you can "export" electricity back to the grid, and save money at the same time, however, for most homeowners this is not really an option as in most cases the turbine induces a great deal of vibration if mounted on a house, and, will not produce sufficient energy to claim credit by exporting excess power back to the grid. At the end of the day the conclusion is it not what you've got - its how you use it. Consumption is the biggest factor of all, if you use it a little or not at all, then you will certainly save money on energy bills no matter how well or poorly the efficiency rating is applied to the property, simple measures to reduce consumption and heat losses in any property will without doubt will save the homeowner money.

   Posted by Chris Wood on 16/09/2008 19:08:24

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