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Sheffield Property > The Help Section > Landlords Energy Efficiency Checklist

Landlords Energy Efficiency Checklist

Insulation
Does the property have plenty of loft insulation?
Up to a quarter of the heat loss in an uninsulated property is through the roof so check if it’s properly insulated. As a rule the insulation should be around 270mm or 1ft deep.

Are the walls insulated (e.g. with cavity wall insulation)?
About one third of the heat in an uninsulated house is lost through the walls. Losses are even higher when you include heat lost through ill fitting doors and draughty windows. Ask your landlord if your walls are insulated. Also look for other measures such as draught proofing, insulation around pipes and a hot water cylinder jacket.

Does the property have double glazing?
Double glazing and “secondary glazing” will not only reduce heat loss but will also reduce the level of outside noise.

Heating and hot water
Is there a central heating system?
If not, the cost of keeping warm during the winter might be very high. Portable gas fires and electric heaters can cost a lot to use every day.

Does the property have gas central heating?
Gas central heating is usually cheaper to run than alternatives such as electric storage heaters.

Is it an old boiler?
If it’s more than 10-15 years old, it might need replacing. The older it is, the more likely it will be running inefficiently and wasting your money.

Can you control the temperatures in each of the rooms?
If the property has central heating, modern room thermostat and radiator controls will make your heating system more efficient.

Is there a hot water cylinder and does it have a thermostat?
If so, it should be set at about 60°C; any more will be wasteful and cost you money. The cylinder should be insulated either with a jacket, or foam or best of all both.

Can you set the time when you want the heating and the water to go on/off?
Leaving your heating and hot water on all day is expensive and unnecessary. You’ll save a lot of money by having them on only when you need them.

Is the heating system safe?
Modern gas boilers must be installed and maintained by CORGI registered installers so ask to see the landlord’s CORGI gas safety certificate to make sure all is in working order. These are valid for 12 months.

Will you be given instruction manuals?
By keeping the manuals close at hand, you’ll be able to get the manufacturers’ advice and help you save money. So ask for copies.

Kitchen Appliances
Are they “A” rated?
New kitchen appliances such as washing machines and tumble dryers have an energy rating from A-G, with A the most efficient. For refrigerated products, the rating goes up to A++. Energy efficient products carry the Energy Saving Recommended logo.

Lighting
Are most of the light bulbs energy efficient ones (CFLs)?
On average a CFL will last around 10 times longer than a normal light bulb and save about £60 on your energy bills over its lifetime.

Energy Saving Tips
  • Turning your heating down by 1°C can cut your bills by about 10 per cent, which could be around £90 per year.
  • Make sure the thermostat on the water cylinder is set at 60°C.
  • When a room is empty, make sure that the lights are turned off.
  • Close the curtains at night to reduce draughts and heat loss through the windows.
  • Stop draughts from badly fitting windows and doors and you could save up to £20 on your bills.
  • Set your heating to come on around half an hour before you come home rather than leave it on all day whilst no one is in the house.
  • Instead of keeping the heating on you’re in bed, make sure you’ve got a high-TOG winter duvet or blanket to keep you warm throughout the night.
  • Don’t put furniture in front of a radiator as the heat will be wasted. Did you know that putting silver foil behind the radiator makes it even more efficient?
  • Although it’s easy to leave your appliances on standby or continually charge your mobile, it simply wastes energy. Make the effort and turn them off. The average household could save £28 a year by turning appliances off standby.
  • Replace your light bulbs with energy efficient ones. Over its lifetime, one bulb can reduce your lighting costs by up to £60 and will last around 10 times longer.
  • Try to use washing machines only when full and set the temperature for 30°C rather than the usual higher temperature. You’ll use about 40 per cent less electricity, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and still end up with clean clothes.
  • Use the shower and not the bath. You’ll use only 55 per cent of the water and heat a bath would need.
  • Fix dripping taps as soon as possible. One hot water tap can waste the same amount of water as a hot bath in a week.
  • Cooking with a microwave saves you time and uses less energy than a conventional oven.
  • When using saucepans, remember to put the lids on; again, your food will cook quicker and save you money.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency improvements cost less than you think. Central heating, insulation, and double glazing can increase the long-term value of your properties and make them more attractive to renters. What’s more there are many grants available and they can reduce your income tax bills. Here are some simple things you could do to improve the energy efficiency of your properties:

  • Top up your loft insulation and insulate your walls. Your energy supplier is offering big discounts on prices for insulation right now – make the most of them!

  • Update your heating system with a high-efficiency condensing boiler and effective heating controls

  • Take advantage of significant discounts and buy a new, more energy efficient washing machine, fridge or freezer

Your tenants will benefit from lower running costs and a warm, comfortable living environment, making them more likely to stay longer in your property.

Energy efficiency improvements can also help you meet your legal requirements, whilst supporting your reputation as a landlord who takes the quality of their properties seriously and delivers a professional service for tenants.


 Energy Performance Certificates

From October 2008 all rental properties in England and Wales will be required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) prepared by an accredited Energy Assessor. These will offer opportunities for landlords to differentiate their property from their competitors and gain a distinct marketing advantage.

The energy efficiency and environmental impact of your property will be rated on a scale from A-G (where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient). Current running costs for heating, hot water and lighting will also be shown on the certificate, together with a list of recommended energy saving improvements.

An example of what the certificate is likely to look like is available at: www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/energy-certificate

Help is at Hand

A network of Energy Saving Trust advice centres operates across the UK. They provide impartial information on home energy efficiency and can advise you on any grants and offers that may be available to help you with the costs of installing measures.

To contact your local centre, simply call 0800 512 012. They are open from

09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday.


Useful Links

 

Energy Saving Trust – general information about energy efficiency in the home www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Useful information for landlords about energy efficiency www.cen.org.uk/landlords

Energy Efficiency: The Guide - everything you need to know about energy efficiency in your properties www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/theguide/

What to buy? Energy Saving Recommended products – a list of the most energy efficient household appliances and heating systems available

www.est.org.uk/myhome/efficientproducts/recommended/

Funding Information

A searchable database of grants available across the UK for energy efficiency improvements. www.est.org.uk/myhome/gid/

The Landlords Energy Saving Allowance – an income tax allowance for private landlords www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2004/revbn31.htm

Details of the Warm Front grant (England only) – for energy efficiency measures if your tenants are in receipt of certain benefits www.warmfront.co.uk


Technical Information

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System – What It Means For Landlords www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/housinghealth

Making Private Rented Housing Energy Efficient – the Flagship Home case study www.est.org.uk/download.cfm?p=1&pid=741
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