It has been a legal requirement to get a home report survey on any house being sold in Scotland since 2008. A home report provides prospective buyers with useful information on a property so they can make a well-informed decision before putting in an offer.
There are three main parts to a home report: Single Survey, the Energy Report, and the Property Questionnaire. In this article, we will be discussing the Energy Report and how you can improve your home’s energy rating before you put your home on the market.
What is an Energy Report?
An Energy Report is the part of the Home Report that rates a property’s energy efficiency and its environmental impact. This is typically presented in the form of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
The EPC assesses a home’s energy efficiency and gives the property a rating of A-G, with A being the best and G being the worst. The Scottish Government states that an energy survey can only be carried out by an assessor who is a member of an ‘approved organisation’.
As part of the Energy Report, you will also be provided with recommendations to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce the associated energy costs.
How can I improve my home’s energy efficiency?
Energy efficiency upgrades are not cheap and improving the energy performance of homes in Scotland to at least EPC C by 2040 is estimated to cost roughly £11.1 billion – according to a recent report by Citizens Advice Scotland.
The good news is, there are easy DIY jobs that can improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you money. Here are some energy-saving upgrades to consider:
Insulate your walls
Experts at the Energy Agency advise that “insulating your walls will dramatically prevent heat loss in the winter and greatly reduce your heating bills.” Homes lose huge amounts of heat through the walls, especially older properties that lack insulation. Adding an extra layer of insulation to your wall cavities will improve your home’s energy performance and slash your monthly energy costs.
Upgrade old windows and doors
Old windows and doors can cause major heat loss and cold drafts. Replacing old windows and doors can have a huge impact on your energy efficiency and could reduce your heating costs considerably. Installing new windows and doors will also improve your home security and help keep your family safe.
Replace your light bulbs
Replacing traditional light bulbs with LEDs is a simple yet effective way to improve your home’s energy performance. LEDs use far less electricity and switching could save you £232 a year according to which.co.uk. Energy-efficient lightbulbs like LEDs also last much longer than traditional bulbs, meaning you won’t need to replace them as often.
Update your household appliances
Old and outdated appliances will drain your electricity and harm your home’s energy performance. Whereas, modern appliances are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. Updating your household appliances, e.g. fridge, freezer and washing machine, will improve your energy rating and could save you hundreds of pounds each year.
Invest in solar energy
Solar power is extremely popular in Scotland and 35000 homes have already transitioned to solar energy. Installing a solar panel system on the roof of your property will allow you to generate your own green electricity. This will boost your home’s energy performance significantly.
Solar panels have become more affordable over the years and the government has introduced several incentives to encourage the uptake of renewable energy. Solar energy is also more affordable than electricity from the grid, meaning you will enjoy both short-term and long-term cost savings when you switch to solar power.
Summary
If you live in Scotland and plan to sell your home, then you will need to obtain a Home Report before you can list your property. As one of the documents included in a Home Report, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement needed to sell your home.
Properties with a better energy rating are more attractive to potential buyers due to the environmental and cost-saving benefits. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable DIY jobs that can improve your home’s energy efficiency before you arrange a Home Report.
Get in touch with our experts if you would like to arrange a Home Report survey or have any questions about the documentation required to sell your home.
