Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is part of a Home Information Pack, is a mandatory assessment of the energy efficiency of your property. It also aims to identify the improvements homeowners can take to increase efficiency and to reduce the carbon emissions of their homes.
Practically this can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers and could make homes more attractive to potential purchasers.
From 1 October 2008 EPCs will also be required for all domestic rental properties. Unlike the EPCs for the sales market, these documents will last for ten years.
Energy Assessment: What we collect ?
- The following data will be rated based on the energy efficiency: the construction, location of the house, lighting, heating, insulation, double glazing and hot water systems
- When you order an EPC with us we will arrange to visit your property at a suitable time and date in order to take the readings required to produce your EPC
- Depending on the size of property the assessment can take up to 1.5 hours to complete
- Besides producing the certificate we provide a range of recommendations based on our findings. The final EPC can be included in your HIP.
Five things to know about your EPC
- It assesses the energy efficiency of the property, based on certain criteria
- It gives an A (very efficient, lower energy bills) - G (very inefficient) rating based on how criteria compares to the Thames Valley average property
- It provides recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the property to a) reduce carbon emissions and b) reduce cost and usage of utilities
- Within the context of the HIP, the EPC is a valuable selling tool. It encourages home improvement prior to a sale to promote the property as a low running-cost home
- Over time, the EPC will be an important document for consumers, regulators, builders, equipment manufacturers to plan how best to reduce carbon emissions in the UK - 25% of which come from housing
Energy Inspection: Things to keep in mind
- Please keep your appointment! There is a fee if we cannot get access to the property on the agreed date/time
- Please clear all cupboards housing heating controls or hot water cylinders prior to the appointment and allow easy access to the loft space (adequate floorboards and lighting are required if heating equipment is located in the loft space)
- All properties to be inspected must have working connection to major utilities (ie.gas, electricity and water)
- Occupants facilitating access to the property must be 18 years or over and pets must be kept secure until the inspection has been completed
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