EPC Assessment in Lurgan

Lurgan's housing stock has a clear split between older town-centre buildings and later suburban homes. The town was founded in 1610 during the Ulster Plantation, and its centre still carries buildings shaped by the 18th and 19th century linen era. That age profile matters because older walls, original roofs and outdated heating systems usually lead to weaker EPC results than modern homes in places such as Tarry Wood or the new phases at Riverside Mill. Our assessors look closely at the age band, construction type and any visible retrofit work before they calculate the rating.

Historic construction in Lurgan is often more varied than people expect. Some of the older properties around High Street and the conservation area use blackstone, brick dressings, stone walls and older roof forms, while early houses in the town were described as mud or stone-walled with thatched or shingled roofs. Those details can affect heat loss, ventilation and the chance of damp, especially where original fabric has been altered over time. Newer schemes such as the 16 homes planned for Phase 1 at Victoria Street or the 66-dwelling scheme on Silverwood Road tend to start from a stronger energy position because they were designed with modern standards in mind.

Market context also tells us a lot about the mix of homes our EPC team sees. home.co.uk listings for Lurgan show an average asking price of £319,145, with properties ranging from £32,000 to £1,950,000. The most common home type listed is a 4-bedroom detached house at around £464,085, which fits the number of larger family homes seen around the town. The 2021 census put Lurgan's population at 38,198, and that scale of settlement usually means a spread of house ages rather than one single building style.

Small upgrades often make the biggest difference in older Lurgan homes. Loft insulation is usually one of the first recommendations, followed by better heating controls and draught-proofing where gaps are letting warm air escape. In a house near the town centre conservation area, external changes may need extra care, so it is often smarter to focus on internal works first. Our assessors commonly point homeowners towards low-disruption improvements before they look at larger projects.

Bigger upgrades can help when the property has original fabric, single glazing or an ageing boiler. Homes on High Street and in other historic parts of Lurgan may need a balanced approach because not every external alteration will suit the building, especially where listed structure status or conservation rules apply. Newer homes at Victoria Street, Riverside Mill or Tarry Wood may only need fine-tuning, such as improved controls or better lighting, because their fabric starts from a stronger position. For households on tighter budgets, ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme may help with some insulation work, depending on eligibility and the property type.

Landlords in Lurgan need to keep the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards in mind. For most rental homes, the minimum EPC rating is E, and the certificate must be valid before a tenancy starts or a property is re-let. That matters for older terraces and town-centre flats, where a poor rating can come from weak insulation, old heating systems or draughty windows. A rental property near the town centre, on Gilford Road or around Silverwood Road, needs the same compliance check as any other letting in County Armagh.

Getting the EPC sorted early can save stress later. A landlord with a property in the conservation area may need to think carefully about upgrades, because works to windows or external walls can carry extra constraints. By contrast, some of the newer schemes in and around Lurgan already have better energy features built in, so they may only need routine maintenance to keep the rating in good shape. The key point is simple: if the home is going on the rental market, the EPC needs to be ready first.

Our EPC assessments in Lurgan start from £80, and that fee includes the home visit, the energy calculation and the issue of the certificate. We keep turnaround quick, with most certificates available within 48 hours once the assessment is complete. That suits sellers who want the property live on the market without delay, and landlords who need the paperwork ready before a tenancy begins. If the address is near Victoria Street, Gilford Road or the newer homes around Silverwood Road, we still follow the same inspection process.

During the visit, our assessor looks at the building details that make the biggest difference to the final rating. That includes wall construction, loft insulation, glazing, heating, hot water controls and any renewable technology that is visible and accessible. Once the certificate is lodged, the result can be checked on the EPC register, which means the document is easy to retrieve later if needed for solicitors, agents or tenants. For homes in Lurgan, that final step is often the one that keeps a sale or let moving without a hitch.