Energy performance certificates (EPCs) are a rating scheme designed to summarise the energy efficiency of buildings by giving it a rating from A to G, where A is the most efficient and G is the least efficient. EPCs were first introduced in 2007 as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) and although the requirement for HIPs was removed in May 2010, the legal requirement for EPCs has continued.

An EPC applies to residential and commercial properties

When a property is sold or rented out, the seller or landlord must provide the buyer or tenant with a valid EPC before the property is marketed. That certificate is valid for 10 years and does not require to be renewed with a change of owner or tenant within that 10 year period.

An EPC is issued by an accredited Energy Assessor once he has undertaken an energy assessment of the property. The assessor will require access to all areas rooms in the property, including the attic to undertake his assessment. He will look at items such as;

The size of the property – how many rooms and the size of the rooms

How well the property is insulated – loft insulation and cavity wall insulation for instance will be checked.

What type of windows are fitted – are they single, double or triple glazed and how well fitted they are

The property construction type – cavity wall construction or timber frame, for example

The quantity and type of lighting – he will check the number of fixed light fittings and the number of energy saving bulbs being used

The heating systems in the house and how they are controlled – the assessor will examine the controls of the boiler, any thermostats, thermostatic radiator valves, and any other heating sources in the house such as coal fires, gas coal-effect fires or wood burning stoves.

A check will be made to ascertain if the amount of ventilation in the property is adequate.

All of these checks will be non-invasive, assessors are not allowed to drill into walls or lift flooring

On completion of the assessment, the assessor will issue a certificate. As well as providing the A to G energy efficiency ratings and Environmental Impact CO2 ratings, this will give estimates of your energy usage at that time and will give advice on possible improvements to the property, which would result in better energy efficiency, lower CO2 emissions and potentially, lower energy bills. Cost estimates for these improvements will also be given.

Our homes at present account for 27% of the UK’s carbon emissions contributing to global climate change. The Energy Performance Certificate is designed to highlight to homeowners how they can help to reduce the environmental impact of their homes.

If you are considering buying or selling a home, you may find some of these services useful: