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The EPC Dilemma: How Current Ratings Fail Heat Pumps

 
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Government Schemes, Regulations, Training, Planning & Organisations
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Toodles
 Toodles
(@toodles)
Famed Member Contributor
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 2741
24/09/2024 5:33 pm  

@jancold Likewise, I had ours carried out for the purposes of the BUS grant . (Notionally a B now, but certified as a C before we carried out Solar PV and ASHP.)

https://find-energy-certificate.service.gov.uk/energy-certificate/0370-2739-3170-2622-2441

I can’t help feeling that ‘Lip Service’ is the most appropriate expression. Regards, Toodles.


Toodles, heats his home with cold draughts and cooks food with magnets.


   
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 rodwebster
(@rodwebster)
New Member Member
Joined: 1 year ago
Posts: 1
19/03/2025 7:04 pm  

Hi, im not an expert on EPCs but today got a D for my 1930s detached with an ASHP. Fortunately, I installed a hybrid system which is also capable of heating the whole house by gas. So I asked the EPC guy to assume that the ASHP was derelict. I gained 10 points - high C!

I think the reason is that the heat pump is “charged” for the inefficiency of generating electricity (30%?) whereas boilers are very highly efficient. Of course, I am on Octopus, which claims to be 100% green. 

I could be wrong but I think this might be the reason heat pumps are a bad thing from an EPC point of view. 

 



   
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 Judith
(@judith)
Prominent Member Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 525
20/03/2025 3:09 pm  

The government has just closed a consultation on the principles of updating the EPC. See here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime/reforms-to-the-energy-performance-of-buildings-regime#overview-of-proposed-reforms

And will further consult on the details (as stated in the overview of above).

The are many established “sillinesses” in the EPC even it was done perfectly (rare).

Your comment on the use of primary fuel consumption is one such stupidity, since it assumes the UK electricity is generated mainly by coal and gas, which is no longer true.

One silly example is my in-laws have a wood burning stove which gives them extra points and A EPC on their 9 year old well- insulated house with a small area of solar panels. So when we had our EPC done (for ashp) our points came out as a B (see stuff below) despite being less well insulated, but they missed off our wood burning stove. So I pointed this out and they admitted their mistake but said that they would have to remove points for our wood burning stove because the rules had changed!

So eventually (after the next consultation) an ASHP will be a positive feature but the EPC is such a political (lobby-prone) tool that it barely performs as an energy performance certificate.


2kW + Growatt & 4kW +Sunnyboy PV on south-facing roof Solar thermal. 9.5kWh Givenergy battery with AC3. MVHR. Vaillant 7kW ASHP (very pleased with SCOP >4) open system operating on WC


   
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 Mike Patrick
(@mike-patrick)
Reputable Member Member
Joined: 5 years ago
Posts: 196
20/03/2025 7:04 pm  

I've commented earlier in this thread, finding the same problems with our EPC. Yes, its a known problem with the methodology and the government is taking far too long to address it. I'm an owner occupier but it produces another dilemma for landlords wanting to raise their EPC so that they remain legally able to let their properties.  You can improve the EPC to get to a "C" rating or you can install a heat pump. But you can't do both!

 

Mike


Grant Aerona HPID10 10kWh ASHP


   
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