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⚠️ High Energy Cost Property

Energy Performance Certificate

5, Duckling Lane

CM21 9QA

SAWBRIDGEWORTH

Current

F

34

Potential

E

44

This F-Rated Property Costs Significantly More to Run

This Property

£868

estimated per year

UK Average

£1,800

per year

After Improvements

£709

potential per year

⚖️ Landlord Legal Compliance — Action Required

This F-rated property does not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Since April 2020, landlords cannot legally let properties rated F or G without a valid registered exemption. Fines of up to £30,000 apply. Immediate improvements are required to reach at least an E rating.

💰 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 E rating — saving up to £159 per year. Improvements are ranked by return on investment.

My Priority Is...

Showing quick wins with fastest payback first

💰 Save £634/year

With 3 selected upgrades

Journey to A
FA
32,500
Property Value Boost
Investment
£9,000
Payback
~14 yrs
Current Costs
£868/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

£634/yr

£6,340 over 10 years

Move slider to see

£634/yr

£6,340 over 10 years

Build Your Upgrade Plan

Sorted by best return on investment (quick wins first)

1
🧱

Cavity Wall Insulation

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

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

Air Source Heat Pump

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

Save £300/yrPayback: ~12 years+10 EPC points
🏛️ £7,500 BUS Grant Available
£3,500
£11,000
Cost
3
🔥

New A-Rated Boiler

Your heating is rated Poor. Compare local boiler installers.

Save £84/yrPayback: ~42 years+5 EPC points
£3,500
Cost

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Why Does This Property Have a F Rating?

This terraced flat is located in SAWBRIDGEWORTH, CM21 9QA. The property offers 47.2m² (508 sq ft) of compact living space with 2 habitable rooms. Currently rated F (34/100) for energy efficiency, this property would benefit significantly from energy improvements. With recommended improvements, it could achieve a E rating (44/100). 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 property has modern timber frame or system-built walls, which typically offer good insulation properties when properly maintained. The property has good loft insulation, though topping up to the recommended 270mm depth could provide additional energy savings. Estimated annual energy costs are £868, comprising £660 for heating, £182 for hot water, and £26 for lighting. The property produces 5.5 tonnes of CO2 per year, which is moderate for a UK home. The property last sold in September 2022 for £157,000. IMPORTANT FOR LANDLORDS: With an EPC rating of F, this property does not meet the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Since April 2020, landlords cannot legally let properties rated F or G without registering a valid exemption. Penalties for non-compliance can reach up to £30,000. Immediate improvements are required to bring the property to at least an E rating.

Energy Efficiency Rating

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

Current Rating

F(34 points)

Achievable Rating

E(44 points)

With recommended improvements

Based on assessment dated 21 Oct 2009

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

Timber frame, as built, no insulation (assumed)

Very Poor

🏗️ Roof

Pitched, 200 mm loft insulation

Good

🪟 Windows

Mostly secondary glazing

Average

📦 Floor

(other premises below)

🔥 Heating

Electric storage heaters

Poor

🚿 Hot Water

NaN

Very Poor

💡 Lighting

100.0% low energy — Low energy lighting in all fixed outlets

Very Good

Property Information

📍

Full Address

5, Duckling Lane

CM21 9QA

SAWBRIDGEWORTH

🏠

Property Type

Flat

Mid-Terrace

📐

Floor Area

47.2

2.0 total rooms

🌍

CO₂ Emissions

5.5 tonnes/year

117 kg/m²

📊

Energy Consumption

777 kWh/m²/year

F-Rated Properties in SAWBRIDGEWORTH

SAWBRIDGEWORTH properties with F ratings are among the least energy efficient in the area. Properties in this postcode district (CM21) 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

£660 /yr

Save £84/yr with improvements

🚿 Hot Water

£182 /yr

Save £75/yr with improvements

💡 Lighting

100.0% low energy

£26 /yr

💷 Sales History

Note: EPC improvements typically add 3–5% per band to property value. Moving from F to E could add significant value.

£157,000

F

Sept 2022

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🏫

Nearby Schools

Within 3 miles of this property

Fawbert and Barnard Infants' School

Primary
📍0.1 miles awayCM21 9AT

Last inspected: Apr 2009

Outstanding

Reedings Junior School

Primary
📍0.4 miles awayCM21 9DD

Last inspected: May 2018

Good

Mandeville Primary School

Primary
📍0.5 miles awayCM21 0BL

Last inspected: Feb 2023

Good

Leventhorpe

Secondary
📍0.6 miles awayCM21 9BY

Last inspected: Jan 2012

Outstanding

High Wych Church of England Primary School

Primary
📍1.4 miles awayCM21 0JB

Last inspected: Mar 2018

Good

Sheering Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Primary
📍1.5 miles awayCM22 7LU

Last inspected: Jan 2023

⚠️Requires improvement

Spellbrook CofE Primary School

Primary
📍1.5 miles awayCM23 4BA

Last inspected: Nov 2021

Good

Harlowbury Primary School

Primary
📍1.9 miles awayCM17 0DX

Last inspected: Mar 2022

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: 416 Mbps

⚡ Gigabit Available
⬇️

Download Speed

Minimum:30 Mbps
Average:416 Mbps
Maximum:1000 Mbps
⬆️

Upload Speed

Minimum:50 Mbps
Average:167 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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More Properties in CM21 9QA

Showing properties in the same postcode. Click to view detailed EPC data for each property.

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.