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Berkeley Place was founded by Nick Cryer in Summer 2009, initially targeting independent schools and prestigious residential development opportunities. Very quickly, a series of high-quality residential construction and development opportunities followed.   Since then we have successfully completed over 300 projects.  Our unique combination of skills, capability, knowledge and fast growing successful track record is causing more and more clients to choose Berkeley Place above the competition.  We are a property and construction company specialising in refurbishment and restoration projects of the highest quality. Located in Bristol and Bath, and selected wider locations, we have particular expertise in restoring and remodelling period and listed buildings, innovatively integrating historical detailing with contemporary fittings.  At Berkeley Place we combine expertise in the fields of property construction and development with a ‘can do’ attitude which delivers professional, stress-free construction delivery leadership that exceeds expectation.

Nick Cryer, the Founder  is a chartered engineer with over 30 years experience in property and construction. Starting on site in contracting Nick progressed into consultancy where he led high profile construction projects for some of the world’s leading property developers; Canary Wharf Group, Hammerson Plc and Lendlease, culminating in a position on the UK board of WSP Group Plc.

How/ways BP is Improving EPC Ratings / Making Homes More Energy Efficient

• Residential accommodation accounts for about a fifth of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, most of which come from heating and hot water.
• If you care about the environment and want to play your part in meeting our Climate Change Targets, then embracing the climate agenda when enhancing your property is simply the right thing to do.
• Investing in energy-efficient home improvements will make a real difference to your carbon emissions – while making your home more comfortable and cheaper to run.
• At Berkeley Place, we seek to improve the EPC ratings in all our property’s renovations from an E rating to a B/A rating making them more energy efficient.

 Some of the ways we are doing this:

Upgrading boiler & controls

• Installing more efficient boilers.
• Depending on the age of the boiler, switching to a newer/condensing model can significantly improve your rating.
• Pairing an upgraded boiler with upgrading the heating systems and installing intelligent controls/thermostatic radiator valves can help save on energy and improve the rating.

Windows:

• Around a fifth of a listed home’s heat can be lost via its windows.
• We tend to renovate the windows where possible, saving as much of the original window as possible.
• Begin repairing not replacing – a sustainable way/ conserve historic windows/ more effective & value for money.
• When possible – The use of slim double (secondary) glazing fitted into original timber windows provided a more authentic appearance whilst improving thermal and sound installation. 
• Draft proofing the windows – inserting draught-proofing.

Floors:

• The majority of older buildings have either suspended timber floors or solid floors finished with tiling or stone.
• Suspended timber floors in properties cause significant heat loss, particularly if there are large gaps in the floorboards causing draughts.
• Timber floors can be insulated by lifting the floorboards and laying mineral wool insulation supported by netting between the joists.
• Electric underfloor heating simple to fit.

Walls & Roof:

• Insulate the walls and the roof.
• New insulation can be a very effective way of improving a low EPC rating score.
• Listed/period properties were built with solid brick walls unlike cavity wall modern properties, therefore solid wall insulation is a very effective way of improving a property’s energy rating.
• Solid wall insulation (internally & externally) is considerably more expensive than cavity insulation, however, will lead to larger savings on heating bills.
• Prevent heat loss, protect against fire risks, and improve acoustic capabilities.

Lighting:

• Replacing old halogen or incandescent light bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LED) – Upgrading all lighting to LED light bulbs.
• One of the easiest/quickest ways of improving the energy efficiency in a home.
• More energy efficient and eco-friendly.

Overview:

• With the minimum threshold of EPC ratings to rise again to D or C in the next few years
• Raising energy costs
• Combating climate change – less energy used heating/powering homes less emissions we put out into the atmosphere. 
• Listed and period properties aren’t designed with energy efficiency in mind, but they need to be now.