How to Obtain and Interpret an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

epc

 

Here, Lloyd Wells, an independent writer working with BSE3D has compiled the ultimate guide to obtaining and interpreting an EPC.

Whether you’re buying or renting, it’s good to know as much as possible about your new home’s energy efficiency before you move in. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how energy efficient a building is and gives a good indication of what it would cost to heat and light a building. It shows what the carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be and how much carbon is generated and it also includes recommendations on where improvements could be made.

The Certificate is legally required for newly-built properties and properties that are being sold or rented out. It is valid for 10 years. The document comes in the form of a multi-coloured sticker that looks similar to energy labels you would find on electrical appliances such as fridges and washing machines.

Do I have to pay for an EPC?

When you’re buying or renting a property, you should never have to pay for an EPC. It must be handed over free of charge, otherwise a fine of £200 could be imposed on the seller or your landlord.

If you’re selling a property or renting one, then you need to have a valid certificate. However, you can use the EPC you acquired when you bought the property if it’s still within the ten-year period. If you own a commercial property and are selling or leasing it, by law you still need to obtain an EPC.

Who can issue an EPC?

An accredited energy assessor provides owners with an EPC certificate after visiting the property to carry out an energy efficiency rating. Estate agents may also offer you this service but if you prefer you can find your own – the EPC Register has a recommended list of EPC assessors here.

How much does an assessor charge?

There are no set fees for an EPC. The price charged depends on the type of building, its overall size and the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and so on. The area in which the home is located also affects the price. EPC prices usually start at around £35, but for a large house in, say, London, the amount will be considerably more.

What information is contained in an EPC?

In order to keep things simple, an EPC displays a sliding rating scale that provides a brief summary of information on the energy efficiency of a home or building. A section of the EPC sticker is dedicated to the energy efficiency of a building, with a grading from A (dark green) to G (red). An A symbol means ‘most efficient’ and a G ‘least efficient’. The average UK home sits on a D. Numbers from 1-100 are also included – a higher number means that a home is more efficient.

Estimated heating and power costs of running your home

Your EPC is a very good guide to what you’ll need to spend in order to heat and power your home. The EPC also suggests ways you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and thus help you cut the costs of your fuel bills.

There’s a section of the Energy Performance Certificate that tells you how energy efficient different areas of your home are. This can be a very useful to help you work out which areas to work on first when you’re looking to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

 

What other information does the certificate include?

Apart from the rating scale of an EPC, and the relative financial implications of that scale when it comes to selling your home, it also contains useful information designed to assist you to make your home ‘greener’. This includes:

·       Estimates of the energy a property potentially uses

·       Fuel costs

·       Carbon dioxide emissions

·       Details of who performed the EPC assessment

·       Contact details for complaints

Changes to EPCs

In April 2016, EPC regulations were amended so that tenants now have the right to seek permission from their landlords to undertake energy efficiency measures on their privately rented property.

And from 1st April 2018, landlords will have to achieve a minimum rating of E on the EPC for all their rental properties. If they fail to meet this minimum efficiency requirement, they could face penalties of up to £4,000.

 

Buildings that don’t need an EPC

·       Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years

·       Buildings with a floor space of less than 50 square metres

·       Workshops, industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings

·       Buildings due to be demolished

·       Churches and other places of worship

·       Listed buildings

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