What you need to know about Energy Performance Certificates
If you’re constructing, selling or buying a property you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Find out all you need to know about EPC’s here.
You need an EPC if you're buying,
selling or building a house
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
EPC’s were introduced by the government in 2008 in an attempt to curb household carbon emissions, which account for 27% of the UK’s total emissions. When you commission an EPC, an accredited contractor will assess the property and produce the report, which is then valid for 10 years. The EPC gives details about the buildings energy efficiency and carbon emissions and provides recommendations on how these can be improved.
Who needs an EPC?
By law, you are required to provide an EPC when selling or letting your home or if you are constructing a new house. If you are buying or renting a property, the owner or landlord is responsible for providing you with an EPC, if they fail to do this they can be fined up to £200. Buildings exempt from needing an EPC are:
- Properties intended to be used for less than two years
- Places of worship
- Buildings with a floor space of less than 50ms which aren’t used for accommodation
- Industrial sites, workshops and most agricultural buildings
What does the EPC include?
The EPC includes an assessment of the properties energy use and CO2 emissions, measured on a scale of A-G, A being the most efficient. These figures are compared with ones that could be achieved if various energy saving measures were put in place. The average energy efficiency rating for buildings in the UK is D, however the government recommends that you aim for a C rating to achieve good cost and CO2 savings.
An EPC will include recommendations for home improvements you could make to increase energy efficiency, such as installing cavity wall insulation, a new boiler, loft insulation or double glazing. The report will also provide estimates of how much these improvements will cost to install and how much money and energy they will save each year. These recommendations do not have to be carried out, however they will save you money in the long run and make your home more attractive to future buyers.
Who can supply an Energy Performance Certificate?
Only accredited domestic energy assessors can provide Energy Performance Certificates, this includes members of The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor’s (RICS) and The National Energy Services (NES). These assessors will be qualified to National Occupational Standard Requirements, have professional indemnity insurance, take part in quality assurance schemes and update their skills regularly.
How much does an EPC cost?
The price of an EPC will depend on the size of the building and the organisation that you hire to carry out the assessment. According to DirectGov, the cost of an EPC should be around £100 and should take as long as a valuation report to carry out, this could mean a few hours or a day.
AB
