Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

In December 1997, the government signed up for the Kyoto Protocol whereby EU countries agreed to reduce emissions by 8%. An energy performance report is designed to help consumers understand the energy efficiency of their properties. As well as providing an overall energy performance rating the report includes suggestions on how the energy efficiency of the property may be improved. Small increases to the energy efficiency in the millions of properties across Europe will result in a significant overall reduction in energy usage.

From the 1st August 2007 residential properties will be assessed and this report will be included in the Home Information Pack. If you decide to commission a Home Condition Report, the Energy Performance Certificate is automatically included and this may be a more cost effective option.

The EPC will provide you with an energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact rating for the property as it stands on the day of the inspection and will make recommendations on how both might be improved.

During the inspection, the Home Inspector will record the key information that affects the energy efficiency of a property. For example, the depth of insulation in the roof will be measured, as will the efficiency of the boiler. Also the type of windows will be recorded and if cavity wall insulation exists. All of this data is then used to calculate the energy efficiency and produces a result on an easy to read scale.

Example of an Energy Performance Certificate

At first glance it looks very similar to the stickers that you find on many "white goods" like fridges and freezers. It uses a simple A-G scale where 'A' rated property will be very energy efficient and properties rated 'F' or 'G' will be much less efficient.

In addition there will be a number of recommended improvements which are split into categories of investment and it is your choice which ones you wish to undertake. The average householder could decrease their heating and lighting bills by nearly £300 every year by taking notice of these improvements. They will also help reduce CO2 emissions and help decrease the effects of global warming.

From 2008 all domestic rented properties will be required to have an EPC.

A qualified DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) and a qualified HI (Home Inspector) are both licensed to undertake EPC work and issue certificates. The Home Inspector must provide an objective opinion about the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the property, which the buyer and the seller must be able to rely on and use.

Most first-time buyers purchasing a home with a 'E, F or G' energy rating could benefit from grants to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Subsidies of between £100 to £300 are typically available from energy suppliers to help fund the costs of insulation and other energy efficiency improvements. In addition some first-time buyers could be eligible for Government grants of up to as much as £2,700.