Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document that provides information about the energy efficiency of a property. The purpose of an EPC is to help property owners, tenants, and prospective buyers understand the energy performance of a building and identify ways to make it more energy-efficient.

EPCs are required for most properties in the UK when they are built, sold, or rented out. They are produced by accredited Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) who visit the property, collect data, and use specialised software to generate the certificate. EPCs are typically valid for ten years. If you are selling or renting out a property, you may need to obtain a new EPC if the existing one is nearing its expiration date.

The information provided in an EPC serves as a valuable tool for property owners to understand and enhance the energy efficiency of their homes, helping to reduce energy costs and environmental impact. Additionally, prospective buyers and tenants can use the EPC to make informed decisions about the energy performance of a property.

For most rental properties, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or better is required to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) legislation established in 2018.

Although properties for sale are currently exempt from MEES legislation (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard), an increasing number of financial institutions now require that homes demonstrate potential MEES compliance to qualify for mortgage funding.

Key Features of an Energy Performance Certificate

Energy Efficiency Rating

The EPC rates the property’s energy efficiency on a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It provides a visual representation of the property’s current energy performance and potential for improvement.

Environmental Impact Ratings

This rating indicates the environmental impact of the property in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Like the energy efficiency rating, it is presented on a scale from A to G.


Recommendations

The EPC includes specific recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of the property. These recommendations may cover areas such as insulation, heating systems, lighting, and renewable energy options.

An EPC is a small report about 4 pages long. The assessor conducts an on-site inspection which will generally take about 1.5 hours, depending on the size and complexity of the property. This data is then entered into specialised software that calculates the property’s energy efficiency, resulting in an EPC rating from A to G, within a couple of days of the visit. The EPC is then lodged on the national register. The cost for an EPC starts from £100.

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