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The developer had split three floors of space above a shop unit in to three beautifully finished flats. However following my site survey the EPCs produced rated one of the flats at E and the other two at F. This was despite installing double glazing throughout and part of the building being New Build. Potentially, the two F rated flats could be subject to Council enforced compulsory improvements if the governments planned measures are implemented in 2013.
This particular building was always likely to have a lower than average rating, as it was end of terrace and as such loses heat from three sides. The heating chosen was electric panels with an electric immersion for hot water. The single most important factor to improve the rating would have been to run gas to the building and install condensing combination boilers.
Clearly there is a cost associated with this but this is certainly less than having to retro fit gas heating or being forced to insulate the solid walls which is a prospect the landlord may face come 2013.
Clearly there is a cost associated with this but this is certainly less than having to retro fit gas heating or being forced to insulate the solid walls which is a prospect the landlord may face come 2013.
Chris Grant is principal at EPC Choice
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3 comments:
As a landlord, agent and property developer I'm rather surprised that the choice to install electric heating systems was ever considered over and above gas. I would presume that in London gas is ubiquitous and to have not considered (what must be by now common knowledge) gas over electric as the more efficient option, is the landlords own-goal. In the interest of genuine debate I'd be interested to hear the comments of other landlords and whether logistically easy/cheap property development is always the preferred option over the longer-term considerations?
A studio flat that I rent out that was converted less than 10 years ago only scores an E rating. There isn't any gas in the building and so has electric heaters. Depending and what happens with the renewable heat incentive I am thinking of putting in an air source heat pump. The tenant will see the heating bill drop by over 50% and I will benefit from the RHI payment. I wish I could put solar panels on and get the feed in tariff, but the roof is too shaded.
Some Local Authorities are a big problem in conservation areas as their conservation policies are not fit for purpose by not permitting energy conservation such as solar panels etc Neither do they allow double glazed windows in English Heritage style wood-like UPVC. Thus the word conservation, energy efficient or CO2 emissions does not mean anything to these planning / conservation officers whilst they invade your private property; fell your trees without consultation / notification /or consent/ do not enforce the law and show preference and lack of transparancy giving grants to those who abuse the law & the rights of others.
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