Summary
We were contacted by a private landlord who owned a classic 1950s three-bedroom semi detached property situated on the border of Harrow and Northolt (NW)
With a new tenancy pending, the landlord was keen to future proof the property against changing and upcoming regulations, especially the new upcoming 2030 updates on the EPCs. The propertys existing EPC rating of E was a major concern. Following our professional assessment and the subsequent installation of three key targeted energy measures we successfully reassessed the property and issued a brand new EPC rating of C, significantly increasing the property’s value and reducing prospective energy bills.
The Challenge:
Old Properties built in the 1950s are drafty and very difficult to keep warm during winter. Because they were constructed before modern insulation standards, they suffer from heavy heat loss.
When our accredited Energy Assessor performed the initial on site survey, they identified three major issues dragging the property down to a Band E (46 points):
- Non existent Roof Insulation: The loft had only a degraded 50mm layer of old glass wool, meaning heat was escaping straight through the roof.
- An Outdated Heating System: The home relied on an old, non condensing boiler which was operating at less than 70% efficiency wasting gas and driving up running costs.
- Drafty Glazing: A mix of old single glazed windows and doors along with failing double glazing allowed cold air to pour into the living spaces, creating a constant draft.
Our Solution: Strategic Energy Recommendations
Our aim was to help the landlord hit the target EPC Band C without the massive expense of solid wall insulation. Our assessor recommended a “fabric first” approach focusing on the most cost effective, high impact upgrades:
Recommended Measures:
- Loft Insulation Top Up: We recommended laying a fresh layer of mineral wool insulation to bring the depth up to the modern standard of 270mm.
- An A Rated Condensing Boiler: We advised replacing the old, inefficient boiler with a modern, high efficiency A rated condensing combi boiler, paired with smart thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs).
- A Rated Double Glazing Throughout: We recommended replacing the drafty and single glazed window units and rear doors with modern, vacuum sealed double glazing to trap heat and eliminate cold drafts.
The Result:
After the landlord completed the recommended measures above, we returned to the Harrow property to carry out the official post improvement EPC assessment.
The results exceeded the landlord’s expectations:
| Metric | Before Our Assessment | After Recommendations |
| EPC Rating | Band E (46 Points) | Band C (72 Points) |
| Loft Insulation | 50mm (Poor) | 270mm (Excellent) |
| Boiler Efficiency | ~70% (Non-condensing) | Over 90% (A-Rated Condensing) |
| Glazing | Poor / Drafty | Full modern double glazing |
| Expected Energy Bills | Very High | Reduced by up to 35% annually |
By targeting the roof, the heating, and the windows, the property was successfully transformed from a drafty, cold property into a warm and energy efficient home that is fully compliant with modern rental standards and will not hold the landlord back from keep renting the property after the new 2030 EPC regulations.
