EPC work cost £8k and property is still a D! Missold air source heat pump

EPC work cost £8k and property is still a D! Missold air source heat pump

9:08 AM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago 69

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Hello, I had a heat source air pump salesman visit 3 properties. My case was very clear – I’m only doing the work if it’ll make the EPC move from a D to a C – otherwise its pointless. He said – 2 houses forget it. But on 1 house … it’ll be worth it.

So, I went ahead. It cost just over £8,000. The installation didn’t go smoothly. The tenant said they were left without heating over the weekend. The company said this was a lie.

However, the work got done. Upshot – the ‘needle’ had moved about 3 points. It’s still a D.

I made a complaint to the company. Initially, they were helpful – ‘Oh, the EPC person must have got it wrong’ … blah blah. I sent them all the documents they requested etc., and then no reply.

I then took this complaint to the HICS Consumer Protection Scheme who said that they’re denying ever saying the work will take the house to an EPC C. And to seek legal advice to take it further.

I’m so incensed, that I just want all landlords to be extremely wary of anyone approaching you regarding EPC work. GET IT IN WRITING that the EPC will be a C or above. Don’t make the mistake I did by trusting their word.

I did 2 solar panels last year (different company) completely different outcome.

Both houses are EPC C now. Not all ‘energy efficient installers’ are any good. Some are just salespeople. And they will be crawling out of the woodwork now. Buyer beware.

Thank you,

Lisa


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Comments

JeggNegg

13:00 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Accommod8 at 30/05/2023 - 11:41
thank you for your comments

JeggNegg

13:10 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Michael Hind at 30/05/2023 - 12:20
if complying with ECP wasn't so dam important, to be able to provide decent homes for tenants, not to mention doing ones bit to save energy... i think i would have given up trying by now.

i really want to try and help my tenants save energy and the cost to them, but it is so difficult to know where to start. if the easiest way forwards is to get a property re assessed! to me that doesn't sound like a great process, for every home in uk to be measured by and the output will have a major impact on if your property can get a mortgage and if it can be let.

NikiSZD

14:49 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Martin Harrington at 30/05/2023 - 12:30
I’m desperate for advice on my own EPC situation. Wanting to rent out my 1 bed all electric top floor flat but EPC came back as F (need E minimum). Only recommendations were roof/wall insulation (not possible) and changing my (new in 2020) Fischer panel heaters to “high heat retention storage heaters”. Not sure exactly what they are and am worried that I might instal and still not make the improvement needed. If I identify a new system (but before purchasing) would it be possible to get a prediction from an assessor or doesn’t it work like that? I’m new on here so apologise if I’ve hijacked a thread with my question!

Jo Cark

14:52 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Replacing lighting with led's. It's been illegal to sell incandescent lamps for a few years now. When did you discover the world of led?

JeggNegg

15:23 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NikiSZD at 30/05/2023 - 14:49
you have not hijacked any thread, please dont worry about asking any questions
its great you have joined in.
welcome aboard.

Martin Hicks

17:47 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by NikiSZD at 30/05/2023 - 14:49
Assuming that the Fisher heaters use full price electricity, it would clearly save money by fitting storage radiators which charge up at night using a lower electricity tariff. But storage radiators require to be supplied from a separate electrical circuit to each and a second consumer fuse unit to be installed. I suspect that the best option would be to install wall and ceiling insulation inside the property. Done properly with triple glazing and you could get to EPC B.

GlanACC

18:04 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Martin Hicks at 30/05/2023 - 17:47
I was told to take these out as you can't really control the heat released during the day and there is no 'boost' if you needed it. Took them out at 3 of my all electric properties , cost £9k to replace, One property ended up as a D the other 2 were E

Wayne Church

19:14 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Andrew Martin Harrington at 30/05/2023 - 12:30
Andrew that is simply incorrect,
The average ASHP has a COP of around 2.6 (installed), so 260% efficiency. Any other electric heating is 100% efficient.
Running any electric heating is expensive due to the unit cost of the fuel, running a HP is far more economical especially as some COP'S are starting to improve to between 3-4 (300-400%).

matthew Castle

19:56 PM, 30th May 2023, About 11 months ago

I had a low D rating on a top floor attic flat. As the top room was in the attic there was no loft space, so tore down plaster board and stuff the space with rockwool.
I also swapped out two old timber single glaze windows with cheap double glaze uPVC. Left the lounge bay window as is.
Spent £3k, avoided maintenance on the old windows and got my C.
Insulation definitely gave me the most

Lee Newnham

6:45 AM, 31st May 2023, About 11 months ago

The improved EPC score is a strange demand?
I understand if you don't want to spend out 8k without an improvement on the running costs. But the heat loss is the heat loss, regardless of what technology you have. Providing your radiators / underfloor heating have been specified correctly, the heat pump will run at a lower cost. How you keep the heat inside the house is down to you.

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