How landlords can upgrade a properties energy efficiency rating in the most cost-effective way
Why landlords need to increase energy efficiency
As a landlord there are a number of reasons you may need to increase the energy efficiency of a rental property.
Firstly, it is a legal requirement for a rental property to hold a minimum energy rating of an
E. From 2025 this minimum energy efficiency rating will increase to a C. Therefore, Increasing the
energy efficiency of the property now could save headaches in the long run.
Having a higher energy rating will also make the property more appealing to potential tenants.
People are less likely to consider properties with a lower energy rating, as heating the property will
be costly, especially with the rise of energy bills in April of this year.
As the world works towards being carbon neutral properties that are more energy efficient are generally more appealing to potential tenants and buyers.
How landlords can increase energy efficiency
Increasing a properties energy efficiency is simpler than you may think. Using more energy efficient heating systems and ensuring that heat stays in will increase the energy efficiency of the property greatly.
Here are some great examples energy efficiency measures:
Solar panels – solar panels draw energy from the sunlight that beams down on a property every day providing free electricity to the property. Any excess energy from the solar panels is also exported to the grid, which energy companies will often pay for.
Air Source Heat Pump – Air Source Heat Pumps heat a property using air drawn in from the outside of the property. Air Source Heat Pumps use electricity to do this, but the running cost is not nearly as high as an electric storage heater system or any fuel heating system such as a gas or oil boiler.
Wall insulation – Wall insulation is incredibly important in improving a properties energy efficiency as well. This is because it keeps heat trapped within the property meaning that it does not need to be heated for as long or as intently. Insulation is available for all wall types; cavity walls can have cavity wall insulation where the cavity inside the wall is filled with insulating beads. Other wall types can have internal or external wall insulation, this is where insulation is put up on the wall either on the inside of the property or the outside, and then the wall is resurfaced over it.
Loft insulation – Has similar benefits to wall installation as it stops heat escaping through the roof of the property. Loft insulation is also incredibly important as heat rises so can easily escape through the top of a structure. Many properties do have loft insulation already; however, it is often not up to modern standards and high benefits can be seen from topping up the amount of insulation in the loft.
How to do it in the most cost-efficient way
Installing energy efficiency measures such as the above mentioned may seem like a very costly endeavour, which having it done privately often is. However, the Eco4 scheme provides funding for low-income households. This extends to rented properties meaning if a tenant at a rent-controlled property is eligible, then the property can have fully, or partially funded measures installed meaning energy efficiency measures can be installed for FREE or possibly a small contribution.
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