Energy Efficiency for UK Let Property

Energy Efficiency takes into account factors such as insulation, heating and hot water systems, ventilation and fuels used. When this comes to EPC’s, the average Energy Efficiency Rating for a dwelling in England and Wales is band E (rating 46).

With the green agenda now being high on any Governments requirements, the energy efficiency of a building will be paramount in future proofing the building.

By fitting expensive items such as photo-voltaic cells or wind turbines (to generate electricity), or ground source heat pumps (to passively heat the dwelling), you could make significant savings, but let’s be honest, until these items drop in price to a reasonable level, we as Landlords must make our properties as energy efficient as possible via the tried and tested means.

It is essential for energy efficiency that you:

• Insulate your loft, but allow ventilation to circulate around it.
• Insulate your hot water cylinder and all pipes.
• If renewing, fit a new, highly efficient boiler.
• Install cavity wall insulation.
• Install high quality double glazing.
• Consider fitting a water metre (if not built with one in place).

There have been moves by successive Governments to help fund this in the form of grants, to home owners. These grants have not been available to the Private Residential Landlord, but there are plans in place to make EVERY building more energy efficient in the future.

We at InformedLandlord will keep you aware of any changes in this area, but in the meantime, we have installed a link to the Energy Saving Trust.