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An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that outlines the energy performance rating of your property and offers recommendations for ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home, which can help you save money on your energy bills.

Read a guide on EPCs from Arktek, a North East team of Gas Safe engineers who help homeowners and landlords with home energy improvements:

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate gives your property a rating between ‘A’ – very efficient – and ‘G’ – inefficient, as well as an energy score between 1-92+.

The certificate states how energy efficient certain features of your property are by describing them as ‘very good’ to ‘very poor’. Featured on an EPC are property characteristics such as the types of walls (if they are insulated), windows (if they are double glazed), lighting (if this is energy efficient), flooring (if this is insulated) and more.

The EPC also provides an insight into the property’s potential energy rating, with recommendations for home improvements that could improve your rating and reduce your energy bills.

How can I find my EPC?

All domestic buildings in the UK available to buy or rent must have a valid EPC. The average energy rating for properties in England is D, with an average energy score of 60.     

You can find out what your EPC rating is using the government’s online registry.

My address isn’t showing on the EPC register – is this common?

If your property has not had an EPC assessment, then your address will not show on the register.
This is common when the property was purchased before EPCs became a requirement for selling or renting domestic properties.

If you do not have an EPC and would be interested in having an assessment carried out, please contact Arktek on 0191 516 6911 to arrange an appointment.

My EPC rating is low – what are the best options for improving my home’s energy rating?

When reviewing your EPC, you will find a list of recommendations for improving your energy rating and reducing your energy bills under the heading ‘Improve this property’s energy performance’. Recommendations are property-specific and range from installing different types of insulation such as cavity wall insulation, underfloor insulation, or loft insulation to installing a new energy saving boiler or energy efficient lights.

The EPC will outline typical installation costs and estimated yearly savings, as well as the potential energy rating you could achieve if the recommendations are completed.

Arktek can help improve your EPC rating; we can advise you on the most cost-effective and impactful changes required to reduce your energy bills. We are a property services company who specialise in providing energy-saving measures for your home and can also assist with the process of receiving government funding and ECO4 grants for those who are eligible.

How we can help:

• We can advise on your eligibility for the ECO4 scheme
• We can help you complete and process your application for funding
• We can conduct a free, no-obligation survey to determine the best possible energy saving measures for your home
• We can install energy-efficiency measures to help heat your home and provide relevant certificates

Simply get in touch with our team of Gas Safe engineers who can advise on the best energy saving measures for your home as well as your eligibility for funding.

Read more:

• Landlords: EPC Rating Changes to Prepare for
• ECO4 Funding for Heating & Insulation Home Improvements

With autumn approaching and energy prices increasing, it’s important to consider how you will heat your home this winter.

If your property is heated by inefficient gas room heaters, electric room heaters or electric storage heaters then you may be spending extra money on your heating bills which could be reduced by installing a central heating system.

First Time Central Heating involves replacing existing heaters with a new central heating system which is powered by either an efficient gas boiler or a renewable form of energy such as an air source heat pump.

Did you know that you could qualify for funding towards the cost of first time central heating if you are in receipt of certain benefits?   

Learn more about first time central heating and find out if you could qualify for funding for the installation of a new central heating system:

Benefits that qualify for funding

There are grants under the government’s ECO4 scheme and LA Flex programme for people who either own their home or rent their property from a private landlord and are in receipt of certain benefits.

If you receive any of the following benefits, you may qualify for funding towards first time central heating:

• Child Benefit (conditions apply)
• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Pension Credit Savings Credit
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit

There may be additional circumstances that allow you to qualify for funding under LA Flex, but they differ for each local authority. The team at Arktek will be able to advise if you qualify via this route – contact us to discuss your options.

Is my home eligible for first time central heating funding?

Your property could qualify for funding if your home is currently heated using one or more of the following methods:

• Electric room heaters
• Gas room heaters
• Electric storage heaters (inefficient or broken)

You can find out which type of heating system is in your home by looking up the ‘Main Heating’ source on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your home.

Your property must not already have a central heating system installed or have had a central heating system removed. It must also have been connected to the gas network before 1^st April 2022 to qualify for a gas appliance to be installed.

If you do meet the eligibility requirements, you could have either a mains gas boiler or air source heat pump installed under the grant. All central heating system installs will also include radiators, pipework, and heating controls.

Get in touch with our team of Gas Safe engineers who can advise on your eligibility for funding and can arrange for installation of first time central heating in your home.

Arktek recently chose to become certified under UKAS accredited ISO certifications to ensure that we meet the highest industry standards and remain consistently compliant with the latest regulations and safety advice.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is authorised to assess the competence and capability of businesses that provide a wide range of services. The UKAS accreditation process is rigorous and involves a thorough auditing process which is carried out annually to assess the processes and systems within an organisation.

Our UKAS ISO certifications include:

• ISO 9001 (Quality)
  • This criteria considers our processes, management team, and includes strict rules regarding continual improvement. It ensures our commitment to a strong customer focus and dedication to providing our customers with the highest quality services and products.
• ISO 14001 (Environmental)
  • This qualification sets out the structure of our environmental management system to ensure that we minimise and regulate our company’s impact on the environment.
• ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety)
  • ISO 45001 helps Arktek reduce workplace risks, improve employee safety, and ensures that we are adhering to the safest working conditions, which is vital in the energy and home improvement industry.

We always aim to provide a professional and reliable service to all our customers and are accredited under multiple organisations to ensure our team are compliant, trusted, and safe.

You can view our full range of accreditations, core values and more about our company’s ethos here.

Arktek are proud to be able to provide energy efficiency measures in local homes in the North East and Yorkshire. We are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of government funded ECO4 measures. Simply contact us to get the process started.

Most British homes built before the 1920s have uninsulated solid walls, which means that you could be losing a significant amount of heat through your walls.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) estimates that around 45% of the heat you pay for could be escaping through uninsulated solid walls. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by installing solid wall insulation, you could save annually:

• £650 for a detached house
• £390 for a semi-detached house
• £245 for a mid terrace house
• £260 for a bungalow
• £195 for a mid-floor flat

So, what exactly is solid wall insulation?

Read our guide on solid wall insulation and find out if you could qualify for funding towards the cost of having solid wall insulation installed:

Does my property have solid walls?

Around 1/3 of UK homes have solid walls. You can identify solid walls by inspecting the brickwork on the outside of your house – if the bricks have an alternating pattern (shown in the image below), your home is likely to be of a solid wall construction.

If you’re unsure whether your property is constructed of solid or cavity walls, get in touch with our expert team who can advise on the type of construction you have and the best type of insulation for your home and budget.

How do you insulate solid walls?

Arktek engineers can insulate solid walls using a method also referred to as internal wall insulation. This method involves constructing a frame against the external walls of your property which is then filled with insulation material and can be done in 5 stages:

Stage 1 – Remove existing fixtures on walls to be insulated.

Stage 2 – Construct the wooden frame using insulated batons.

Stage 3 – Insulate between the frame with insulation wool.          

Stage 4 – Affix a membrane over the wool to secure in place.

Stage 5 – Board the insulated areas & skim the walls.

The total thickness of the frame and internal wall insulation is minimal, at just 100mm, and the process is carried out room by room.

Solid Wall Insulation Grants

As part of the government’s ECO4 scheme, funding is available for solid wall insulation.

To qualify for solid wall insulation funding, your home must have solid external brick or stone walls and you must receive one of the qualifying benefits under ECO4 or qualify under LA Flex rules.

Find out if you qualify for ECO4 or LA Flex funding. 

We are proud to be able to assist with the ECO4 funding process. Simply contact us to get the process started.

 

The minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) are set to change for domestic landlords. Here’s what you need to know as a landlord and some information on whether you may be eligible for funded home energy improvements for your rental property:

The government has proposed new Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations which are planned to come into effect in 2025. All domestic buildings in the UK must have a valid EPC. On an EPC, each property is rated from A – very efficient – to G – inefficient.

The new regulations will require all rented properties to have an (EPC) rating of C or above.

The changes are set to be phased in: the MEES will apply to new tenancies from 2025 and will apply to all tenancies by 2028.

The current minimum requirement for domestic rented properties states that the property must have an EPC rating of E or above, so many properties are unlikely to meet the new regulations without having energy efficiency measures installed. Landlords whose properties don’t meet the upcoming standards must adapt them to avoid potential penalties of up to £30,000.

Although the proposed plan is a crucial step towards reducing carbon waste in the UK and improving energy efficiency, the changes could be a financial and logistical challenge for landlords whose properties will require upgrades.

That’s where Arktek comes in: we are an accredited team of Gas Safe engineers who specialise in assisting landlords apply for government funding for different types of home energy improvements.

Our team also provides the installation of heating systems, insulation and other services to help increase your EPC rating with minimal disruption to your tenants.

Help with funding towards the cost of measures to comply with the new EPC regulations

To ensure that your properties are energy efficient and compliant with upcoming private rented sector regulations, we offer assistance with applying for and installing home energy improvements under the ECO4 scheme.

If you are the landlord of a property and your tenants are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you could be eligible for one or all of the following under ECO4:

• Loft Insulation
• Room in Roof Insulation
• Replacement of existing room heaters with a gas central heating system
• Solid Wall Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Underfloor Insulation
• Smart Thermostats

We can advise on the most beneficial and cost-effective ways to improve your property’s EPC rating – simply contact us to find out if your property qualifies for funding.

We are also happy to provide a quotation for energy efficiency improvements to your rental property if the property does not qualify for funding.

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of ECO4 and LA Flex funded measures to help you save on energy bills.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you apply for funding for energy improvements in your home.

Arktek, a leading insulation and Gas Safe registered installer located in the North East, have recently launched a new website to help guide customers through the process of securing funding for ECO4 grants.

The Energy Company Obligation scheme is entering the fourth phase (ECO4) and is due to commence in the coming months. ECO4 replaces the highly successful third phase of the scheme (ECO3) with some minor adjustments to the eligibility requirements and services covered under the scheme.

The team at Arktek are experts in helping homeowners and tenants secure funding towards the cost of home energy improvements and the new website is an excellent resource for individuals looking to improve their home energy efficiency.

The new website features information regarding the following measures and details how Arktek will be able to help you apply for funding towards the cost of having these installed:

• Solid Wall Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Replacement of your existing room heaters with a gas central system
• Smart Thermostats
• Loft Insulation
• Room in Roof Insulation
• Underfloor Insulation

In addition to this, the website provides further information on the other services which Arktek offer including energy saving boiler installs, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), home improvements and renovations.

“We’re excited to launch our new website with a primary focus on the ECO4 scheme. We are pleased with the new look and user experience that will help residents secure funding for home energy improvements. Given the current situation regarding rising energy costs, it is more important than ever to ensure that our homes are as energy efficient as possible.” said Arktek Managing Director, Mark Bewick.

Browse through the new website at www.arktek.co.uk.

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of ECO4 funded measures to help you save on the cost of your energy bills.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you apply for funding for energy improvements in your home.

Our next blog post will include an overview of the differences between ECO3 and ECO4 – watch this space.