We are a small independent family business with an excellent reputation for providing a professional, but friendly service in producing Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). I am a member of the Elmhurst Accreditation Scheme and am screened by the Criminal Record Bureau.
If you are a homeowner, estate agent, solicitor, letting agent or private landlord that’s planning to sell your home or letting your property, then we are here to help. We offer top quality services from start to finish at very competitive prices. We serve clients in Devon and the surrounding areas, including Barnstaple, Okehampton and Bideford. Get in touch with us now.
Solicitors, Estate / Letting Agents
We will represent you at your clients home and will work with you in the production of Energy Performance Certificates. It is our aim to deliver all the required documentation in a timely manner.
Private Home Owner
We will provide you with an easy-to-understand report at a price that will give you all the information you need to make a property energy efficient
Landlords
If you are letting your property permanently or for a short time we will assess it thoroughly to provide an honest report
What is an EPC?
An EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent. If you are a landlord or homeowner and you need to provide an EPC, you will need to contact an accredited domestic energy assessor, who will carry out the assessment and produce the certificate
The accreditation scheme makes sure that the domestic energy assessors have the necessary skills and are able to carry out the survey to the agreed standards. Domestic energy assessors may be employed by a company (like an estate agent or an energy company) or be self employed. Always check that your domestic energy assessor belongs to an accreditation scheme.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC. It will also allow potential buyers or tenants to compare the rating of similar properties.
Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
EPC’s carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.
The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your property using grades between “A” and “G”. An “A” rating is the most efficient, while “G” is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is “D”. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties. Around 27% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions come from domestic homes.
We access properties in Devon, including Barnstaple, Okehampton, Bideford and surrounding areas.
The recommendation report
EPC’s also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
• Suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
• Possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
• How the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
• Detailed estimates of potential energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and fuel costs
• Details of the person who carried out the EPC assessment
If you make changes to the property as per the recommendations, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.
Information about energy efficiency and carbon emission is summarised in the two charts on the EPC. The charts look similar to those supplied on electrical appliances, like fridges and washing machines.
FAQ
How long is an EPC valid for?
What happens if your home gets a low rating?
What does the summary of the home's energy performance related features show?
On the “EPC Page” there is a summary of the dwelling’s energy performance. Each element (walls, roofs, heating system, etc.) of the dwelling has been given an assessment of the current
energy efficiency and environmental performance. The assessment is against the following scale: Very poor, Poor, Average, Good and Very good. The performance is assessed by the
software on the basis of age of property, construction type and features. This relates to performance, not appearance. It does not take into account the physical condition or quality of the
element. Please visit the EPC page of this website for an example of the above.
What is a Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) Survey?
An accredited energy assessor visits the property and collects only the data required for assessing energy features, and creates the certificate based on the construction and type of dwelling
and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation and double glazing for example). It is not a structural or building survey, condition report or property valuation, and an EPC should not be
read as a comment on the overall condition of the property, nor will it comment on the presence or otherwise of asbestos, high alumina cement concrete or additives including calcium
chloride, or any building defects or hazardous materials. It will not cover items or problems in the property which would be picked up in a building survey, which may be costly to rectify,
as these are outside the scope of the data collected.
I have added insulation to my house, but the SAP rating is low and the insulation is not shown on the EPC, why is this?
The RdSAP survey is a non-invasive survey and for insulation to be included in the assessment there must be evidence, either visual or documentary evidence of specific works relating to
the property. This means that if there has been insulation added, but there is no access for the energy assessor to inspect it nor documentary evidence, it cannot be included. In these cases
the level of insulation is assumed from the age of the relevant part of the dwelling. This applies to all insulation whether roof, walls or flooring.
My recent EPC makes the recommendation of changing my current boiler to a new “band A” boiler, but I have only recently had my boiler changed, why is this?
The EPC is looking at the potential energy performance of the property and in this case has identified that the current boiler is not the most efficient boiler available. The recommendation
to improve the boiler to a more energy efficient boiler is made purely on the energy efficiency rating of the boiler and does not take into account the age or condition of the currently
installed boiler. This recommendation identifies that there are more efficient boilers available and that a homeowner should consider this when they next have to replace the boiler.
What information do you require from the owner of the property?
Only some general information, where possible, about the property i.e. Age of construction, date of installation of double glazing etc.
How long does it take to produce an EPC?
I am usually at the property for 45-60 minutes taking photos and measurements. The drawing of the floor plans, working out the square footage and heat loss perimeters is normally
completed at the office. Once completed, these findings are input into a specialised software package that works out your ratings and produces the report and certificate. These are
normally produced within 24/48 hours and despatched via first class post. Or if preferred, the RRN number (report reference number) can be emailed to you and/or a third party, from
which you can download your certificate directly from the government website.
When is an Energy Performance Certificate needed for holiday accommodation?
From 30th June 2011 holiday homes that are let out for a combined total of 4 months in any 12 month period will require and EPC. This is only relevant to buildings that are subject to
building regulations, meaning that caravans and mobile homes will be exempted.
What my customers say about me
OUTSTANDNG I contacted Devon Energy Assessor for advice on behalf of my elderly father. I was fully expecting to pay. They were very wiling to help, took time to understand the problem, researched the answer
and took more time to carefully explain the outcome to me. And they would not except a penny for their trouble. A very genuine and knowledgable company with a lovely customer ethos. No hesitation in recommending
them.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. John was very responsive in the booking process, and when carrying out the EPC inspection was thorough and very helpful. We wanted to make sure it was
accurate – at the same time, ensuring we got the best result we could.
In producing the report he was again, quick and efficient and overall very good value for money.
SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND. John in the enquiry went out of his way to be helpful. He professionally assisted with all the questions I had and his suggestions for improving the EPC rating for the property were
sensible and balanced against the potential cost. I would thoroughly recommend his services which he performed above and beyond my intial expectation
EPC We could not have wished for a more efficient service. Very prompt and easy to deal with.
EXCELLENT SERVICE John was a very pleasant yet professional individual who provided a very thorough report. He also took the time to explain how and why certain things helped the ratings that are achieved. Very reasonably priced compared to local estate agents. Will certainly be recommending him from now on!
FIRST CLASS First class service from start to finish. John went the extra mile when our circumstances suddenly changed and access to our house was difficult plus he resolved the national database’s problem with finding our house name. We highly recommend his efficient and courteous service.
WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ASSESSOR ANY TIME. The service from this assessor was very thorough, very helpful, very caring about his business and willing to answer any questions I put to him. Brilliant and my thanks go to him for his assistance. JV West Devon
DOMESTIC EPC, A BETTER AND MORE USEFUL EXPERIENCE THAN I HAD ANTICIPATED John came on time and worked efficiently. He then provided a very thorough report at a reasonable price. I would recommend him to anyone else needing a domestic EPC.
STRAIGHT FORWARD AND PROFFESSIONAL We found John was very straight forward, polite and proffessional. He did exactly what we asked for very efficiently and at a reasonable fee.
PROMPT AND EFFICIENT I engaged Mr Woollacott at short notice to provide an Energy Performance Certificate. He was quick to respond, produced a clear and comprehensive statement of his findings and gave a usefuldebriefing on measures that might be taken to effect improvements. All this was achieved at a competitive price. I am grateful to him and have no hesitation in recommending him to any other property owner in need of a similar service.
JOHN THE DEVON ENERGY MAN I found that John is a straight talking Devon man,I would recommend John to anyone.
M J Miles Somerset
JOHN WOOLLACOTT I have used John for EPC’s for some considerable time and have found him to be reliable, efficient, punctual and knowledgeable in this specialised field. The service he offers provides value for money and it is always a pleasure to do business with him. I would highly recommend his services to those who need it.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE A reliable and accommodating gentleman providing a friendly and professional service.
A pleasure to do business with.