To apply to join the RHI you must have a current (within two years) energy performance certificate EPC. The EPC needs to be generated by an accredited energy assessor. Which essentially means you have to pay someone to assess your home. The sort of questions you have to answer are:
- When was the property built? When were any extensions and conversions made?
- If you converted the loft into a room, when was the work carried out?
- Has the property been inspected for, or does it have any cavity wall insulation?
- Have you very recently added any double glazed windows or doors?
- Does the property have any under-floor insulation? Can this be seen, or do you have the receipts for this work?
- Are you on a single or double electricity meter?
- Have you installed any heat recovery technology
The rating of your home will depend on many factors. But typical recommendations are :
- Insulation for your floor, roof, loft or walls. Better insulation reduces the need for heating, thereby lowering your energy bill.
- Double glazing: windows keep in significantly more heat when they’re double-glazed, again reducing the need for heating. Solar panels: these produce cheaper, greener energy.
- Low-energy lighting: a smaller change that involves no structural alteration, using low-energy light bulbs is a cheap, easy way to lower energy bills.