Colin Ferguson, a 74-year-old pensioner, is disappointed to have seen his home’s perfect energy efficiency score drop from 100 to 74 after installing a heat pump. His Perthshire, Scotland home was rebuilt to meet near-Passivhaus standards in 2013, earning it a perfect score. The heat pump was installed using £9,500 of Government funding, but the new energy performance certificate (EPC) showed a significant decline. Mr. Ferguson believes the change is due to a shift in how assessors evaluate properties. The second assessment used a revised data SAP method, which relies more on assumptions. Elmhurst Energy, the firm that conducted the assessment, notes that EPCs have improved to account for new fuel prices, carbon emissions, and low-carbon technologies. While some have reported positive experiences with heat pumps, Mr. Ferguson and his wife still rely on a wood stove to keep their home warm in the winter. The article highlights the complexities of energy efficiency ratings and the need for continued improvement in the EPC system.
UK Pensioner’s Energy Costs Plummet After Installing Innovative Heat Pump Solution
