EPCs (bane of my life) and Energy Suppliers (also bane of my life)?

You shouldn't need an offpeak meter any more. Dimplex Quantum HHR storage heaters can run off a single supply. The dual rate tariff from most suppliers is now set up with smart meters so during the off peak period everything (all lights and sockets) benefit from the cheap rate. So you should be able to get a supplier who offers a dual rate tariff to install a smart meter which will do what you need it to. Who that supplier will be depends on your area so some research will be needed.

Good luck!

Please take care if your are upgrading the heating with the intention of improving your EPC rating. You need to take into account the following rules (known as Conventions) which the EPC assessor will have to apply.

Convention 4.02 - "If storage heaters are present as main heating but there is only a single rate meter – enter as panel heaters and include Addendum 6." In effect, this means your rating will be lower matching that of electric panel heaters.

Convention 4.09 - "A storage heater can be classified as high heat retention only if the brand name and model is located in the database." In simple terms, this means the manufacturer will have to have paid for external certification so check the brand and model you invest in to ensure it is listed - many aren't!

Convention 4.19 - "Heating system controls programmed via a mobile app only, where there are no visible controls in the dwelling, are not included in the assessment, i.e. recorded as “no time or thermostatic control”." Again, make sure the system you install has visible controls.

Convention 9.13 - "Usually the dwelling uses either single-reading meter or a multiple-reading meter arrangement. Older properties may have two single-reading meters to record on-peak and off-peak readings (record as dual meter). If tele-switch or time-switch is present – treat as dual. If choosing a particular tariff, additional information should be gathered such as recent electricity bill." To gain any benefit in the rating, you will need to ensure that a multi-rate tariff can be recorded in the assessment as you seem to already understand! You may also have an issue once your tenant moves in as tenants now have a right to change tariffs and you cannot unreasonably withhold consent or restrict this. In these circumstances, you may be able to make the case that it is reasonable to have a restriction that ensures they maintain a multi-rate tariff or have one reinstated at the end of the tenancy at their cost.

Hope this helps you to avoid some of the common pitfalls we see so many landlords fall into in this area.

Reply to the comment left by Doug Hough at 06/07/2022 - 12:33
Can you give any information about where these conventions and other rules surrounding EPC assessments can be accessed?

I find it incredibly frustrating that the information included in epcs is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty with all sorts of assumptions being made without any regard to the true facts.

Reply to the comment left by KH at 06/07/2022 - 11:55
KH correct in that not all HHR storage heaters now need a separate off-peak dual cabling supply, but does depend on specific Model Series and evidence Smart meter set up to provide dual rate.

Reply to the comment left by Doug Hough at 06/07/2022 - 12:33
Wow, this is really useful. I knew there must be some rules which told the assessor how to input data into their magic boxes but this is the first time I have seen them in the flesh. Did they come from this website, or is there a more recent version:'
https://www.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/SAP/2012/RdSAP-Conventions.pdf

Reply to the comment left by Doug Hough at 06/07/2022 - 12:33
....and I have now found the database to which you refer, here:

https://www.ncm-pcdb.org.uk/sap/searchpod.jsp?id=17

Thank you SO much.

Reply to the comment left by DougalBid at 07/07/2022 - 13:37
Glad the information has been of some use to you.

The Accreditation Schemes are responsible for distributing the Conventions and updates to their members but some are better than others. As for wider publication, this is unfortunately very poor!

The latest version currently in effect is Version 11.1 which took effect on 1 December 2020. They can be accessed online at https://files.bregroup.com/SAP/RdSAP_Conventions_11_1_includes_ad_hoc_amendment_(all_countries).pdf

You can also find out about the regulation of EPCs, including quality assurance procedures, from the Energy Assessor Scheme Operating Board (EASOB) - http://www.easob.co.uk/

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 06/07/2022 - 13:00
the whole EPC is a dark art!

We the customer have no idea what they are REALLY assessing against. Drives me mad.

Where else would you be expected to not have any idea of the outcome of something that you pay in advance for and at the same time have no idea what they are checking against in order to provide the best outcome?

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 08/07/2022 - 11:28
After a bit of searching I found the assessment procedures documented at:

https://bregroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/RdSAP_2012_9.94-20-09-2019.pdf

Best to look at the home page as well:

https://bregroup.com/sap/

Not sure that it answers all the questions but more revealing than anything I've seen before.

Reply to the comment left by Seething Landlord at 08/07/2022 - 12:58
There are also links to the conventions at:

https://bregroup.com/sap/standard-assessment-procedure-sap-2012/