OVO Energy Experts: questions and answers
Packed full of handy information, this is the page for you if you’ve got any questions about our Energy Experts service.
Questions about the visit from an Energy Expert
The visit will last for up to 2 hours, depending on the type and size of your property.
Yes, as the homeowner, we'll need you to be at home for the visit, so that you can tell us about your home in more detail. Someone over the age of 18 must be there for the whole visit otherwise we won’t be able to provide the service.
From the top – Your Energy Expert will begin their inspection in the loft (if you have one) and work their way down and around your home.
What's already there – They’ll take into account the type and age of your property, any extensions, and any other work that's been done.
Walls, windows, warmth – They’ll take a look at the thickness of the walls and windows and what condition they're in, and how you currently heat your home.
Front, back and sides – They'll also check as much of your property's "elevation" (the outside of the building) as they can.
Your Energy Expert may need to take photos of your home on the day. This is to help them recommend the right upgrades for your home. Your Energy Expert will also be able to answer questions you have about your home and energy efficiency on the day.
Here are a few things you might need to prepare:
- Have a boiler? Or a loft? It's useful to have access to them so the advice we give you is as informed as possible.
- Paperwork? Any documents on how you heat your home will also be useful. Things like maintenance manuals, service details, and warranties.
The OVO Energy Expert is only there to produce your Home Health Report and Energy Performance Certificate. They won’t be able to carry out any work on your property as part of the visit.
However, your Home Health Report and Energy Performance Certificate will give you information on the recommendations. After you've got these, we'll be available to talk through this information with you if you need further guidance. You’ll find our dedicated Energy Experts telephone number on your Home Health Report.
Questions about the Home Health Report
The recommendations could include a range of upgrades: insulation, low energy lighting, draught proofing, heating controls, boiler upgrades, double glazed windows and perhaps even heat pumps.
We’ll also highlight any funding that's available and any trials we're running that might help you get started.
No, any changes listed in the report are just expert recommendations that we think will help you save energy and money. But you’re under no obligation to act on any of them.
Questions about Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are like the colourful stickers you get with new appliances. Only, instead of being for a single appliance, they tell you how energy efficient your entire home is.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) rate your home from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).
As well as rating your home as it is right now, an EPC includes information on what your home's energy efficiency rating could be. It has recommendations for improvements and shows cost effective ways to achieve a better rating.
Some of the improvements may be simple, such as switching to more energy efficient light bulbs.
You can find out more in the Energy Saving Trust’s guidance on Energy Performance Certificates.
There are many potential benefits to an EPC:
- Lower energy bills – you could lower your overall energy use and potentially reduce your energy bills, by following the recommendations and adding more energy efficient measures to your home..
- Improve property value – if you're considering putting your home on the market, you need a valid EPC to sell your property. Improving your home’s energy rating could also improve its value.
- Lower mortgage – it may be possible to achieve lower mortgage rates through green mortgages.
- Lower your carbon footprint – increasing your property's energy efficiency could lower your carbon footprint.
Your EPC will have two main charts with the rating bands. The bands go from A to G, with A being the best rating your home can have, and G being the worst. In the chart, you can see the current rating and potential rating, if you were to carry out the recommended home improvement. The numbers in each rating reflect the government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and go from 1 to 100 SAP points (100 being the highest).
An Energy Performance Certificate is officially valid for 10 years from the date it's issued.