Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are used to asses and advise you on how you can make your home more efficient, using energy more effectively and consequently reducing croon diode emissions. Every property that is bought, rented or sold needs to acquire one.
Energy Performance Certificates – how do they inform us?
EPCs contain:
* Information on your home’s energy use and carbon dioxide emission
* A recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
Energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place. The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is ‘D’. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.
Carbon dioxide emissions are partly responsible for climate change, and around 27 per cent of these emissions come from domestic homes.
The recommendation report
EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
* Things that could be improved upon, such as properly insulating your loft
* The possible financial savings you could make if these improvements were made
How the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property
These recommendations are not compulsory, but if acted upon, could enhance your property and make it more marketable for sale or rent by being more energy efficient.
The certificate also contains:
* Estimates given in detail of potential energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and fuel costs.
* Information about the person who undertakes the EPC assessment
* Who and where to contact in case you choose to complain
What an EPC looks like
There are charts that highlight the energy and carbon dioxide emission ratings. These charts look very like those that are put onto all electrical appliances, for example tumble dryers and fridges.
How to get an EPC
You should receive an EPC when you are either buying or renting a property. You’ll need to provide one if you are selling or letting your home.
Which buildings need an EPC?
Any building which has walls, a roof and uses energy to regulate its interior temperature needs an EPC if it is being rented, sold or constructed. This means that a garden shed would not need one as it doesn’t utilise heating or air conditioning, but any part of a building which has been modified for use separately would need one. For example, in a block of flats where each part of the building has its own heating system, each flat would need an EPC of its own.
Which buildings don’t need an EPC?
The following buildings don’t need an EPC when they are built, rented or sold:
* Places of worship
* Temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years
* Standalone buildings with total useful floor area of less than 50 metres squared that arenotused to provide living accommodation for a single household
* Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy
EPCs for business premises
Owners of all commercial buildings also have to provide an EPC when they sell or let commercial premises.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling property, get the advice you need from a conveyancing solicitor today.
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