The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
It is a requirement of the Housing Act 2004 that, prior to placing a home on the market for sale, the person responsible for its marketing must make available a Home Information Pack HIP for potential buyers. One of the documents required to be included in the Pack is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). This Certificate is produced following an assessment by a qualified Home Inspector or Domestic Energy Assessor DEA, who is registered with a government approved scheme.
The EPC will also be a requirement for rental properties, from October 1 2008. It will also be needed for homes on the market not requiring a HIP.
The EPC has been introduced as a result of a European environmental policy initiative to formulate further policies to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and slow down global warming.
The building's energy efficiency is presented as two rating charts, similar to the A to G ratings given to domestic appliances, one chart for energy efficiency and one for carbon emissions. The closer to A rating, the 'greener' and more economical the home.
The EPC is a computer-aided assessment of a building's energy efficiency, generated using a version of the Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP) which allow direct comparison between houses in terms of likely utilities bills and running costs.
The Energy Performance Certificate is a method of rating your homes efficiency. As you will have experienced, with ever rising fuel costs, this needs to be contained on all levels. In the current green climate the EPC also informs the owner of how their use of energy affects the environment. Nearly 40 per cent of the UK’s energy consumption is a result of the way 25 million buildings are used.
The EPC will include suggestions to enable homeowners to improve property efficiency. This advice given can enable you a way to save costs and reduce carbon emissions. These recommendations will illustrate what measures and improvements that can be used to the greatest effect. This can also mean lower energy bills for occupiers, and could enable the home to be more attractive to potential buyers.
The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust who can help you find out if you are eligible for grants or discounts to help you carry out improvements. It will also list simple ways that can save you money and energy - without the need for any work to be done.
EPC example here
- Note: On arrival the Assessor will identify him/herself by name. They will not be offended by any reasonable check to their identity.
- Most properties require between half an hour and an hour for the assessment. Large, complex properties are likely to take longer.
- Please ensure that pets and other animals are secured in order to allow a full and safe assessment to take place.
- The Assessor is not permitted to enter the property if the only person present is under 16 years of age. However we can enter empty properties with suitable arrangements for keys and access
- Please ensure that children are well supervised during the inspection as some tasks are potentially hazardous (e.g. the opening of access traps).
- Sealed hatches and traps are not opened but a more conclusive assessment may be issued if you can have these unsecured in readiness for the inspection.
- Furniture, personal effects, and fitted floor coverings are not moved.
- Inspection of any boilers, hot water cylinders or other heating appliances is extremely important; please ensure they are accessible if at all possible.
- The Assessor will not be able to include in the assessment any improvements or work that s/he cannot actually see or measure. Any paperwork that relates to work such as cavity wall insulation could be helpful to the assessor and a copy of such documents that the Assessor could file with the report would be most useful.
- Documents and manuals that relate to the heating system, double glazing or other home improvements would also need to be seen by the Assessor.
- If the Assessor feels that there are any health and safety risks from unsafe structures, toxic materials, people or animals at the property the assessment may need to be terminated. For safety reasons the property would need to have electricity (for lighting) available.
