The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a key part of the Government initative to reduce carbon emmissions from homes. The EPC will also provide a potential buyer with information on energy efficiency of the property, estimated costs in relation to heating & lighting and suggestions on how it could be made more efficient.
An EPC is required when a property is built, rented or sold. An EPC is needed if a property has a roof and walls and uses energy to
‘condition an indoor climate’ i.e. heating, air
conditioning or mechanical ventilation.
The property can
either be a whole or part of a building that has been designed
or altered to be used separately. If a building is made up of separate
units, each with its own heating system, each unit will need an EPC.
Enery Performance Certificates (EPC) contain:
- information on your home's energy use and carbon dioxide
emissions
- a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use
and carbon dioxide emissions
An EPC carries a rating that compares the current energy
efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions of the property with the potential figures that a property could achieve. The potential figures are calculated by estimating what
the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if the possible energy
saving measures were put in place.
The ratings measure the energy
and carbon emission efficiency of a property using a grade from ‘A’ to
‘G’, where an ‘A’ rating is the most efficient and ‘G’ is the least
efficient. All proeprties are
measured using the same calculations making it easy to compare the energy efficiency of properties
The EPC provides a detailed
recommendation report showing what can be done to help reduce the
amount of energy used and the carbon dioxide emissions. The report
lists:
- suggested improvements
- possible cost savings per year following the improvements
- the possible change to the energy and carbon
emission rating of the property following the improvements
