The government confirmed last month that HIPs would be suspended with immediate effect and homeowners would no longer need to produce a pack in order to sell their property.

What they still need to do within 28 days of putting their home on the market, though, is provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).  These cost around £60 and show how energy efficient the house is on a banded rating scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient.

Ventrolla, UK and Ireland's leading sash window renovation company, welcomes the decision to retain EPCs because they reward homeowners for investing in energy efficient solutions, designed to both save money and reduce environmental harm.

Repairing and draught proofing damaged windows is a great way of cutting down on energy bills and potentially achieving a better EPC rating.

Ventrolla’s Perimeter Sealing System, for example, can achieve a 30 per cent improvement in the Window Energy Rating when installed into an existing timber sash window.  The customer will also receive an Energy Improvement Certificate from Ventrolla upon completion of the work to verify the performance gain. 

One important consideration when deciding on any course of action aimed at improving energy efficiency is the payback period – in other words, when the savings achieved will offset the original purchase cost.

For an average three bedroom terraced house it takes approximately five years to achieve payback on cavity wall insulation.  Boiler replacement can be as much as 38 years and solar heating a staggering 208 years.

Fitting UPVC double glazing has a payback period of around 124 years, which further strengthens the case for the renovation of existing windows over complete replacement.  Double glazing also has little impact on the property’s overall efficiency rating on the EPC, as a maximum of four points in fact which is unlikely to push it into the next band. 

Homeowners should carefully consider all the options before making any decisions about home improvements, but those with period properties should always bear in mind the importance of retaining original features.  They not only preserve character, can also add value when it comes to resale, and when properly renovated and draught proofed, can be energy efficient.