Electric Heating Innovation Could Be Key To Raising The Efficiency Of Private Rental Properties
From April 1st, all private rented properties in England and Wales must achieve at least an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E before landlords can grant a new tenancy to new or existing tenants, except where exemptions apply. The same will apply to all private rented properties, even when there has been no change in tenant, from April 2020.
It is all part of the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, which aim to raise the efficiency of homes in the private rented sector.
Of the 4.85million private rented properties in England alone, 6.6% only have an EPC rating of F or G according to the Government’s English Housing Survey, using figures from 2016.
That means approximately 320,100 properties will need to increase their EPC rating by at least one band – and upgrading to modern, energy efficient heating appliances is one of the most effective, least disruptive ways in which to do it.
Chris Stammers, head of insight for Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation, said: “Modern electric heating appliances like the Dimplex Quantum system are intelligent, efficient and incredibly easy to use. And with MEES forcing efficiency improvements upon landlords of thousands of properties, they could be just the solution many landlords need.
“Quantum remains the only heating system categorised as a high heat retention heater according to SAP 2012 specification criteria. Findings show that upgrading the electric heating system in a residential property to a Quantum system can improve the EPC rating of a property by up to 11 points, potentially raising it by a whole band.
“And that’s not all. Independent research shows that Quantum’s clever use of off-peak energy can also provide up to 47% running cost savings when compared to an electric convector or radiator system, and a 27% running cost saving compared to a standard storage heater system, so it will certainly appeal to tenants too."
“From April 1st, landlords can no longer ignore the efficiency of their property. The key will be in finding solutions that don’t just raise the EPC rating, but do so in a cost-effective way that will appeal to tenants and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance.”