How to make your rental property more energy efficient
Recently, there have been important updates on the rules around energy efficiency in buildings, which will affect landlords and developers from 2030.
Let’s look at what this means for you and how you can improve the efficiency of your property in line with the new standards.
What are the new minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)?
The UK government has released plans to raise the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating to a C or above for rental properties, says the Energy Saving Trust.
This means that if you own a rental property, you’ll need to make sure your building meets these new standards from 2030.
If it doesn’t meet this EPC rating, upgrades to the property are required, which are estimated to cost “between £6,100 and £6,800, on average” for landlords.
Make sure you’re using the right calculation methods, like SAP 10.2, to assess your building’s energy performance.
How to enhance your building’s energy efficiency
Improve the building’s fabric
To meet the new standards, you may need to improve your building’s fabric to keep the internal temperature more stable.
You can start by upgrading insulation in areas like walls, roofs and windows.
Also, seal gaps around windows, doors, letterboxes and so on. You can use draught-proofing materials such as weatherstripping, silicone sealant or flue dampers for chimneys.
Replacing old single-glazed windows with double or triple glazing can also significantly improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss.
Switch to energy-efficient heating systems
Heating systems are a large energy consumer in any building, so switching to more energy-efficient solutions is essential for reducing your building’s overall consumption.
If the property has old, inefficient radiators, consider upgrading to modern radiators that offer better energy efficiency.
You could also consider sustainable heating options like heat pumps. These use electricity to move heat from one place to another, which can be more energy-efficient than gas boilers.
Use smart technology to save energy
Utilise technology and smart systems to make your building more energy efficient.
For instance, smart controls, such as smart thermostats, can help to track and reduce energy use.
They can adjust heating and lighting based on occupancy or time of day, making the building more efficient without sacrificing comfort.
Predictive maintenance tools can even help you spot potential issues before they become expensive problems, saving you both energy and money.
There are many ways you can improve your building’s energy efficiency to meet the new standards.
While this may involve some upfront costs, it will help future-proof your property by making it more sustainable, which may increase its value in the long run.
Visit the rest of the site for more interesting and useful articles.
