Are you currently looking for rental properties in Exmouth?
Select an energy-efficient property.
How?
Select one with a high EPC rating. That will help keep month-end energy bills affordable.
Apart from prioritising the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a rental property, also prioritise properties with modern centralised gas-fed heating systems and windows with proper glazing and functional weather seals.
Also, it is best to avoid rental properties with damp or mould patches, as these indicate inadequate heating and poor ventilation.
Decoding the EPC: What the Letters Really Mean?
Whether you are searching for rental properties in Exmouth or anywhere in the UK, it is always a good idea to select a property with a high EPC rating.
But what exactly do the various EPC ratings stand for?
In an EPC certificate, the property that received an A is the most efficient, whereas the one that received a G is the least efficient.
C-Rated Rental Properties Are Ideal
A property with a C on its EPC can keep your month-end energy bills down by a margin of hundreds of pounds per annum.
Whereas a home with an E or F in its EPC will not only feel drafty all the time but will also increase your actual living costs significantly.
Which is why, before signing a tenancy agreement, pay close attention to the property’s EPC rating.
How to Spot An Energy-Efficient Rental In Exmouth?
While viewing a rental property, do not focus only on its kitchen countertops and natural wood floors. Take the proactive steps to gauge how the property is being heated.
Also, look for subtle signs that the property may be low in energy efficiency.
For reference, here is a list of signs that signify a home is low on energy efficiency.
Modern Heating Solutions
Old-fashioned electric storage heaters – they will leave you cold by evening.
Choose a property that has a centralised gas-fed heating system. That is going to be cheap to run and way more efficient.
Windows With Functional Weather Seals
Pay close attention to the property’s window frames.
If you hear wind whistling through the window frames or feel cold drafts coming in, avoid the property. Its windows have failed or are failing their weather seals.
No Damp Or Mould Patches
Rental properties along the coast are bound to have damp patches or mould colonies tucked away in their nooks and crannies.
To make sure the property you are viewing doesn’t have a damp or mould problem, check its corners and the wall sections behind its furniture.
If you notice mould or damp patches, the property has poor ventilation and inadequate heating. Avoid it at all costs.
Proper Wall And Loft Insulation
Rental properties with proper wall and loft insulation act as a thermal blanket, keeping coastal dampness and high winds out of a rental home.
Glazed Windows
Avoid rental homes with old sliding sash windows.
Sure, they look beautiful, but they cannot keep warm air inside and cold coastal air from entering the property.
Choose a coastal rental property with at least double-glazed windows if you prefer to block out the howling gales and keep the rooms cosy.
Get A Warm Coastal Home That Doesn’t Cost The Moon
To find that perfect rental home by the coast of Devon, you do not have to have deep pockets, compromise on comfort or lose your financial peace of mind.
Use the EPC of a rental property as a proactive tool rather than as a piece of documentation.
It is evident by now that the EPC rating of a rental property clearly indicates its overhead costs, especially during the winter season.
For the best results, follow the tips in this post and keep your eyes peeled during viewings. Always go for a rental property equipped with modern heating systems. That will ensure the property and your pockets will stay warm.