The EPC is a box ticking exercise. If a house doesn't fit the boxes it gets a lower rating. eg, my house uses zero fossil fuel energy for heating but still only gets a C. This because there is no heating system, the assumption is that portable electric heaters are used.
Some 8-10 years ago, a block of flats was built at the far end of my road. I happened to notice one for sale in an estate agent's window today, and it's EPC rating is 'F'. I am somewhat amazed that such a new home only achieves an 'F' rating.
I was also slightly amused to see most of the properties in the estate agent's window advertised as 'EPC awaited'. There's a daily fine (was £200/day in 2008) for marketing a property before having the EPC, which it looks like is being ignored.
I regard EPC's as a complete waste of time anyway, but this still surprised me a bit.
I've been noticing similar, but presumed it was down to the suppositions rather than facts that EPCs are based on.
I have a factory unit, where the only insulation is a double skin roof with about 4" of mineral wool in it. That is rated E.
I need one on another factory unit and am finding it very difficult to get anyone who can issue the EPC. Part of that is it being industrial, but they do seem to be remarkably busy people.
Indeed. the next unit in the block to the one above, built at the same time and in the same way is rated F.
I've just seen a new building go up.
3" rockwool (from what I could see from a distance) into the cavity walls.WHY the hell are they not putting 3" celotex in? It's not exactly expensive anymore.
So no, does not surprise me. Well, it did in a way because I assumed Part L was tighter than that...
Taylor Wimpey built 100 new houses in the village where I live in 2013.
One detached property was constructed right opposite Sainsburys and every day I watched as the cavity walls got higher and higher, yet no sign of celotex or full-fill rockwool cavity batts. Finally as they got near to the soffit level, some rockwool was seen poking out the top. I don't believe the whole cavity was filled, just a ring around the top.
Andrew
Building control would not allow 3 inches of PIR insulation in a 4 inch cavity, even though a decent brickie would create an unobstructed 1 inch cavity outside the 3 inch of PIR anyway.
That is worse than my 40+ year old flat with a concrete roof.
Owain
Really? Again surpised - assuming the outer leaf can breath, I cannot see any reason to have any air gap at all?
After all - how is it different to post construction foam injection?
You'd think flats would get much better ratings simply by having less ex= ternal walls.
-- =
Two hands working can do more than a thousand clasped in prayer
Can't remember if this was mentioned here or elsewhere, but they have form for 'forgetting' the insulation:
Theo
If house building companies could get away without using bricks, plasterboard, windows, foundations and land they would. The actual energy requirements of housing stock should be measurably dropping in line with changes in building regs, but are they? Apart from the 'specials' they build for someone to inspect and test I have no confidence any of them come even remotely close to their theoretical or even intended performance.
Of course, whilst all this is just a "marketing" item it's irrelevant if following the rules gets the wrong answer
but once it becomes a gateway into "legal permission to let" it important that it is right
tim
>/The EPC is a box ticking exercise. If a house doesn't fit the boxes it gets a lower rating. eg, my house uses zero fossil fuel energy for heating but still only gets a C. This because there is no heating system, the assumption is that portable electric heaters are used. /q
Silly me! I presumed you kept warm by spouting hot air & burning copious amounts of self generated bullshit... :-)
Jim K
its a weird world when the poorly insulated houses can be owned & lived in , yet renters must have better
NT
The insulation industry is pushing hard to have it reflected in the council tax, so you get charged more for less well insulated homes. I can imagine some governments allowing local authorities to do this in the not too distant future.
Owners have more choice whether they insulate their house or not. Renters don't usually have that choice, and would often benefit from having information about running costs before taking on a tenancy.
Owain
Renters can choose between properties in a free market. I agree its good to have information, but that's all. And as harry points out the assessments aren't really effective at providing information.
NT
Have you been a renter recently?
Most people who do have a requirement for "available tomorrow" and at any one time that availability is very limited. Once you have eliminated all of the properties that don't fit your size/monetary profile you're usually left with a choice of about 3 properties and have to select the least worst. Filtering on "insulation" just isn't practice at all in 98% of cases
tim
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