Energy Efficiency & Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency improvements cost less than you think. Central heating, insulation, and double glazing can increase the long-term value of your properties and make them more attractive to renters. What’s more there are many grants available and they can reduce your income tax bills.

Here are some simple things you could do to improve the energy efficiency of your properties:

- Top up your loft insulation and insulate your walls. Your energy supplier is offering big discounts on prices for insulation right now – make the most of them!
- Update your heating system with a high-efficiency condensing boiler and effective heating controls
- Take advantage of significant discounts and buy a new, more energy efficient washing machine, fridge or freezer

Your tenants will benefit from lower running costs and a warm, comfortable living environment, making them more likely to stay longer in your property.

Energy efficiency improvements can also help you meet your legal requirements, whilst supporting your reputation as a landlord who takes the quality of their properties seriously and delivers a professional service for tenants.

Energy Performance Certificates

From October 2008 all rental properties in England and Wales will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prepared by an accredited Energy Assessor. These will offer opportunities for landlords to differentiate their property from their competitors and gain a distinct marketing advantage.

The energy efficiency and environmental impact of your property will be rated on a scale from A-G (where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient). Current running costs for heating, hot water and lighting will also be shown on the certificate, together with a list of recommended energy saving improvements.

An example of what the certificate is likely to look like is available at: www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/energy-certificate

Help is at Hand

A network of Energy Saving Trust advice centres operates across the UK. They provide impartial information on home energy efficiency and can advise you on any grants and offers that may be available to help you with the costs of installing measures.

To contact your local centre, simply call 0800 512 012. They are open from
09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.

Useful Links

General Information

Energy Saving Trust – general information about energy efficiency in the home
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Useful information for landlords about energy efficiency www.cen.org.uk/landlords

Energy Efficiency: The Guide - everything you need to know about energy efficiency in your properties www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/theguide/

What to buy? Energy Saving Recommended products – a list of the most energy efficient household appliances and heating systems available
www.est.org.uk/myhome/efficientproducts/recommended/

Funding Information

A searchable database of grants available across the UK for energy efficiency improvements. www.est.org.uk/myhome/gid/

The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance – an income tax allowance for private landlords
www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2004/revbn31.htm

Details of the Warm Front grant (England only) – for energy efficiency measures if your tenants are in receipt of certain benefits
www.warmfront.co.uk

Technical Information

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System – What It Means For Landlords www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housinghealth

Guidance on integrating energy efficiency into property refurbishment
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/uploads/documents/housingbuildings/CE83%20-%20Energy%20efficiency%20refurbishment%20of%20existing%20housing.pdf

Making Private Rented Housing Energy Efficient – the Flagship Home case study
www.est.org.uk/download.cfm?p=1&pid=741

Article supplied to LandlordZONE by SE2 Limited - http://www.se-2.co.uk/