A resident of west London expressed uncertainty about the credibility of energy ratings after his property’s energy performance was mistakenly assessed, despite his investment of £60,000 in eco-friendly enhancements.
Michael De Podesta, who owns a semi-detached home from the 1920s located in Teddington, shared with BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours the improvements he made to increase energy efficiency, including the installation of solar panels and triple glazing.
Initially, his home received an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B; however, following additional renovations, the rating inaccurately dropped to a C. The last assessment was conducted by Compass Property Projects, which acknowledged its error, but this incident has sparked discussions on the need for a government reform of the system.
EPCs, established in 2007, categorize properties based on energy efficiency, ranging from A for the most efficient to G for the least efficient. These ratings are essential, as an EPC is required to sell or lease a property. There are plans in place to mandate landlords upgrade their properties to a minimum rating of C by 2030.
De Podesta, a chartered physicist, began his energy improvement efforts by installing triple glazing, external insulation, and solar panels, achieving a B rating for his home. Satisfied with that result, he proceeded with the final phase, which included adding a heat pump and additional solar panels.
“I achieved this EPC B and believed my house was incredibly cost-effective to operate. Last year’s heating expenses totaled merely £160—it’s remarkably efficient. It deserves an A rating, surely?” he remarked.
However, upon undergoing another EPC assessment post-completion of all improvements, he was shocked to discover that his rating had actually declined to a C.
“I’m really at a loss about what to believe. I don’t find that it accurately represents the condition of the property,” Mr. De Podesta commented.
Compass Property Projects has since apologized to him, refunded his costs, and reinstated the original B rating for his home. They clarified that an energy performance rating does not equate to a comprehensive structural examination.
Following this, he arranged for another evaluation, which successfully awarded his property an A EPC rating.
All EPC assessments, along with the assessors, must hold proper accreditation. Elmhurst Energy provides the software that assessors utilize to gather data, compute ratings, and generate certificates.
Stuart Fairlie, the CEO of Elmhurst, noted that inaccurate ratings are a frequent issue, and he has received numerous complaints regarding this matter.
“Regrettably, the methodology employed by energy assessors is influenced by costs, where electricity is pricier than gas,” he explained. Fairlie commented on the process being “outdated,” while expressing hopes for a governmental update to the methodology by next year.
A recent investigation by Which? revealed that among 11 homeowners surveyed, eight identified fundamental mistakes in the data documented on their EPCs.
Fairlie emphasized that his company operates independently from assessors and aims to “serve as arbitrators for accuracy.”
“The majority of these issues revolve around educating homeowners about their energy systems; while certain improvements have indeed made a positive impact, there have been a few honest mistakes made by assessors that led to homeowners eventually receiving the correct certificate,” he added.
The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government completed a consultation on this matter in February. They also declared that, by 2028, all rental homes will be required to have a minimum EPC rating of C for new rental agreements, and by 2030 for all existing tenancies. A representative stated that they are still reviewing the responses received.
