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⚠️ High Energy Cost Property

Energy Performance Certificate

149 Harwich Road

CO4 3DB

COLCHESTER

Current

F

25

Potential

C

72

This F-Rated Property Costs Significantly More to Run

This Property

£3,550

estimated per year

UK Average

£1,800

per year

After Improvements

£1,110

potential per year

This property costs approximately £1,750 more per year than the UK average. Recommended improvements could save up to £2,440 annually.

💰 Government Grants Available for This Property

🏛️ BUS Grant

£7,500

Off the cost of an air source heat pump. Available now — limited places.

Check Eligibility →

🏠 ECO4 Scheme

Free

Free insulation & heating upgrades for eligible households on benefits or low income.

Check Eligibility →

📉 0% VAT

Save ~20%

Zero VAT on heat pumps, insulation, and solar panels until 2027. Applies automatically.

Get Solar Quote →

How to Improve This F-Rated Property

With the right upgrades, this property could reach a C rating — saving up to £2,440 per year. Improvements are ranked by return on investment.

My Priority Is...

Showing quick wins with fastest payback first

💰 Save £3,840/year

With 4 selected upgrades

⚡ Bill-Free Living(inc. solar export income)
Journey to A
FA
32,500
Property Value Boost
Investment
£23,500
Payback
~6 yrs
Current Costs
£3,550/yr
🔮

Future Energy Price Simulator

Drag to see how rising prices affect your savings

0%
Today's Prices
Today+10%+20%+30%+40%+50%

Your Savings Today

£3,840/yr

£38,400 over 10 years

Move slider to see

£3,840/yr

£38,400 over 10 years

Build Your Upgrade Plan

Sorted by best return on investment (quick wins first)

1
🌱

Air Source Heat Pump

Ultra-efficient heating with £7,500 government grant. OVO: MCS certified installation.

Save £2440/yrPayback: ~1 years+10 EPC points
🏛️ £7,500 BUS Grant Available
£3,500
£11,000
Cost
2
🧱

Cavity Wall Insulation

Your walls are rated Poor. Cavity fill is quick and cost-effective.

Save £250/yrPayback: ~8 years+4 EPC points
£2,000
Cost
3
☀️

Solar Panels + Battery

Your house is ideal for solar. OVO: UK's #1 green energy supplier.

Save £1000/yrPayback: ~11 years+7 EPC points
£11,000
Cost
4
🪟

Double Glazing

Your windows are rated Poor. Modern A-rated double glazing reduces drafts and heat loss.

Save £150/yrPayback: ~47 years+2 EPC points
£7,000
Cost

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Why Does This Property Have a F Rating?

This semi-detached house is located in COLCHESTER, CO4 3DB. The property offers 73m² (786 sq ft) of modest-sized living space with 4 habitable rooms. It is a characterful interwar or early 20th century home. Currently rated F (25/100) for energy efficiency, this property would benefit significantly from energy improvements. With recommended improvements, it could achieve a C rating (72/100). The property uses electric storage heaters, which charge overnight on cheaper electricity tariffs. While having low installation costs, running costs are typically higher than gas central heating. A heat pump could reduce electricity use by 60-70%. The walls feature cavity wall insulation for improved thermal efficiency. Double glazing is installed, though the efficiency rating suggests older units. Modern low-E double glazing can be up to 40% more efficient than units installed before 2002. Estimated annual energy costs are £3550, comprising £2510 for heating, £977 for hot water, and £63 for lighting. The property produces 4.1 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is moderate for a UK home.

Energy Efficiency Rating

📊 Official EPC Register Data
A92-100
B81-91
C69-80
Potential
D55-68
E39-54
F21-38
Current
G1-20

Current Rating

F(25 points)

Achievable Rating

C(72 points)

With recommended improvements

Based on assessment dated 13 Sept 2025

What's Causing the Poor Energy Rating?

The EPC assessor rated each element of this property. Poor and average ratings are the biggest opportunities for improvement.

🧱 Walls

Cavity wall, as built, no insulation (assumed)

Poor

🏗️ Roof

Pitched, insulated (assumed)

Average

🪟 Windows

Fully double glazed

Poor

📦 Floor

Suspended, no insulation (assumed)

🔥 Heating

Electric storage heaters

Average

🚿 Hot Water

NaN

Poor

💡 Lighting

100.0% low energy — Good lighting efficiency

Good

Property Information

📍

Full Address

149 Harwich Road

CO4 3DB

COLCHESTER

🏠

Property Type

House

Semi-Detached

📅

Construction Age

England and Wales: 1900-1929

📐

Floor Area

73.0

4.0 total rooms

🌍

CO₂ Emissions

4.1 tonnes/year

56 kg/m²

📊

Energy Consumption

458 kWh/m²/year

F-Rated Properties in COLCHESTER

COLCHESTER properties with F ratings are among the least energy efficient in the area. Properties in this postcode district (CO4) that have undergone improvement works have seen significant increases in EPC ratings and corresponding reductions in energy bills.

🗺️

Location & Nearby Area

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Annual Running Costs — Current vs Potential

🔥 Heating

Electric storage heaters

£2510 /yr

Save £1764/yr with improvements

🚿 Hot Water

£977 /yr

Save £667/yr with improvements

💡 Lighting

100.0% low energy

£63 /yr

Save £9/yr with improvements

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🏫

Nearby Schools

Within 3 miles of this property

Willow Brook Primary School and Nursery

Primary
📍0.3 miles awayCO4 0DT

Last inspected: Nov 2022

Good

Unity Primary Academy

Primary
📍0.5 miles awayCO4 3QJ

Last inspected: Mar 2023

⚠️Requires improvement

Colchester Academy

Secondary
📍0.6 miles awayCO4 3JL

Last inspected: Mar 2023

Good

Hazelmere Junior School

Primary
📍0.6 miles awayCO4 3JP

Last inspected: Jul 2022

Good

Hazelmere Infant School and Nursery

Primary
📍0.6 miles awayCO4 3JP

Last inspected: Jun 2018

Good

Parsons Heath Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Primary
📍0.6 miles awayCO4 3EZ

Last inspected: Sept 2023

Good

St James' Church of England Primary School

Primary
📍0.6 miles awayCO1 2RA

Last inspected: Sept 2019

Good

Friars Grove Primary School

Primary
📍0.6 miles awayCO4 0PZ

Last inspected: Jul 2023

Good

About school ratings: Ofsted ratings range from Outstanding to Inadequate. These ratings are based on inspections of teaching quality, leadership, pupil behavior, and safety. Note that school catchment areas vary - check with the school or local council for admission details.

Data source: School information from Get Information About Schools (GIAS). Distances are approximate. Always verify school catchment areas directly with the school or local education authority.

🌐

Broadband & Connectivity

🚀Ultrafast Broadband

Average download speed: 500 Mbps

⚡ Gigabit Available
⬇️

Download Speed

Minimum:30 Mbps
Average:500 Mbps
Maximum:1000 Mbps
⬆️

Upload Speed

Minimum:50 Mbps
Average:200 Mbps
Maximum:200 Mbps

Available Providers

Virgin MediaHyperopticBTSkyTalkTalk

What do these speeds mean? 10-30 Mbps: Good for browsing and streaming. 30-100 Mbps: Great for multiple users and HD streaming. 100-300 Mbps: Excellent for 4K streaming and gaming. 300+ Mbps: Perfect for large households and heavy internet use.

Data source: Broadband speeds are from Ofcom Connected Nations 2025 report (July 2025 release). Data shows typical speeds available in this postcode area. Actual speeds at this specific property may vary depending on line quality, distance from exchange, and chosen provider. Always verify availability with providers before committing.

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Area Safety

Higher Crime404 incidents/month

The surrounding area (1-mile radius) experiences higher crime levels

Most Common Incidents

April 2026
📊

violent crime

166 incidents (41%)

🔊

Anti-social behaviour

46 incidents (11%)

🛒

Shoplifting

38 incidents (9%)

⚖️

Public order

32 incidents (8%)

🔥

Criminal damage

29 incidents (7%)

About this data: Crime statistics show incidents reported during April 2026 within a 1-mile radius. Data from Police.uk, updated monthly.

About this EPC: Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years and are required when a property is built, sold, or rented.

Data Sources: UK Energy Performance Certificate Register, HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, Police.uk crime statistics.

Public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.