What
is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Who can provide an EPC?
Why do I need one?
When do I need one?
What’s involved?
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
The
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an objective
report on the energy efficiency of a property. It
provides clear information to any potential purchaser on
the energy performance of the property and effective
means for improvement.
The certificate will contain an energy efficiency rating
similar to those available for domestic electrical
appliances that will display the current efficiency
rating alongside the potential rating, should the
recommended improvements be carried out. Similarly, the
certificate will display an environmental (CO2) impact
rating that measures the property’s impact on the
environment in terms of Carbon Dioxide emissions.
In order to improve the property’s performance in
energy terms, there will be details of simple
recommended low-cost measures and long term measures to
improve the property’s performance rating. There is no
onus on the homeowner to carry out these
recommendations.
EPCs form part of the Home
Information Pack (HIP).
Who can provide an EPC?
Only qualified and
certified/accredited Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy
Assessors can carry out the assessment and issue an EPC.
Why do I need one?
EPCs are required to meet the
European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD),
which became European law on 4 January 2003. Member
States, including the UK, were given three years in
which to implement the Directive (although a transition
period applies until January 2009 for States who did not
have sufficient assessors by January 2006). All
buildings must have EPC requirements in place by January
2009 and this is an absolute deadline, dictated by the
EPBD. But not all dwellings will require an EPC straight
away – see below.
When do I need one?
From 1 August 2007, EPCs will be required for the
marketed sales (and leaseholds) of existing dwellings
with 4 or more bedrooms (in England in Wales).
Properties on the market before
1 August 2007 will not require a HIP (or EPC).
Until the end of 2007, it will
be possible to market a property without an EPC,
provided that it has been requested and will be provided
to the buyer before exchange of contracts. The A-G
ratings must be included in estate agents' particulars
as soon as the EPC becomes available.
From 1 September 2007, EPCs may
be required for dwellings with 3 bedrooms or less from
this date – this is dependant on sufficient numbers of
qualified and accredited/certified individuals available
to carry out energy assessments.
It is likely that all
residential dwellings marketed for sale will require an
EPC by the end of 2007.
From 1 October 2008, EPCs will
be required for rental of dwellings, social housing and
all non-marketed sales.
EPCs will also be required on
the sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings
What’s involved?
Once an instruction is received, I
will contact the property owner to arrange a mutually
convenient time to carry out the property assessment.
The owner will also be asked to fill in a short
questionnaire. The assessment will take about an hour,
dependent on size of property.
The assessment is a visual
inspection and will require access to all parts of the
property, including loft, garage, airing cupboards, etc.
It is not invasive and does not involve (e.g.) drilling
or removal of fixed panels.
The assessment includes taking
measurements (externally and/or internally), inspecting
heating & hot water systems (including controls),
assessing walls & windows, and a visual check of the
fixed lighting within the home. Any energy-related
features present, such as solar panels or renewable
energy resources, will also be assessed.
(Please note: this is not an
exhaustive list, but aims to give an idea of what is
involved only)
Once the assessment has been
carried out, the EPC will be produced and sent to the
client within 2 working days.
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