Energy Performance Certificate

Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - England and Wales

October marks the final roll-out of Energy Performance Certificates to all buildings. From 1 October 2008 Certification will be extended to rented homes, commercial properties under 2,500m2 and all remaining homes for sale including those on the market before the phased introduction of EPCs for domestic properties in 2007. Public buildings will also need to have a Display Energy Certificate.

According to CLG, since being introduced in 2007, more than one million EPCs have been produced and registered in England and Wales - with the average rating being a C for commercial properties and a D for homes.

The measures which come into force for October include:

  • Extending the validity period of the EPC for homes when marketed for sale - currently one year - to three years. This has been the result of extensive consultation.
  • The Government has brought in transitional arrangements, which mean that some commercial properties will have until January 2009 to get their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). The current requirement was for all commercial buildings being sold or let after 1 October 2008 to have an EPC. The new measures mean that commercial properties already on the market at 1 October 2008 now have until 4 January to obtain the required EPC, unless the building is sold or rented beforehand; if this happens, the EPC must be provided as soon as is practicable.

Energy Performance Certificates for homes

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from A to G, where A is the most efficient and with the average to date being D.

Example of energy efficiency rating graph for homes

Example of energy efficiency rating graph for homes

What else does the certificate do?

EPCs are measured using the same calculations for all homes, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

Part of the EPC is a report which will list the potential rating that your home could achieve, if you made the recommended changes. The report lists:

  • suggested improvements (such as fitting loft insulation)
  • the approximate cost
  • possible cost savings per year if the improvements are made
  • how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

You can use this information to:

  • cut your fuel bills
  • improve energy performance in your home
  • help cut carbon emissions
  • help you choose a more energy efficient home to rent or buy

You do not have to act on the recommendations contained in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, then it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.

For more information on saving energy and eligibility for energy efficiency grants, follow the link below.

Does everyone need an EPC?

The EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent.

Sellers or buyers of homes - All sellers of homes need to ensure that they provide a Home Information Pack which includes an EPC for potential buyers.

An EPC must be made available to a potential homebuyer free of charge.

Builders - An EPC needs to be provided to buyers of newly built properties.

Landlords - If you are a landlord, you will need to make an EPC available to prospective tenants the first time you let a home after 1 October 2008. An EPC is only required for a property which is self-contained and is valid for 10 years.

An EPC is not required when a tenant rents a room and shares facilities.

Tenants - If you are interested in renting a property then an EPC must be made available to you free of charge. An EPC is only required for a property which is self contained and is valid for 10 years.

If you are a prospective tenant, an EPC is not required when you rent a room and share facilities.

If you are not in one of the above categories - Even if you do not fall into the above categories, you can still apply for and receive an EPC. This may be because you want to know what the energy efficiency of your home is and implement improvements suggested by the recommendation report. To find out more about what an EPC contains then follow the link below.

Will EPCs be needed across the UK?

EPCs only apply to England and Wales. Northern Ireland and Scotland are producing their own regulations. For more general details on the differences in legislation in different parts of the UK, follow the link below.

Devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

How do you get an EPC?

EPCs can only be produced as a result of a survey by an Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. EPCs are used to collect standard information on the property, for example, its size and hot water/heating systems. The information is then fed into a government approved software programme which produces the EPC.

For more information on:

How much will it cost?

The price of an EPC is set by the accredited organisations which issue them. When you obtain a Home Information Pack, then the overall cost should include that of an EPC. If you apply for an EPC on its own then the cost for an average house is approximately 100 pounds.

How long will it take to get one?

Obtaining an EPC for an average sized home is likely to take the same time as a house valuation report which has to be prepared when a property is put up for sale. The exact time will vary from property to property.

Public buildings

Certain public buildings must have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) which contains similar information as an EPC to enable visitors and users of the building to see its energy efficiency rating.

EPCs for business premises

From October 2008, owners of all commercial buildings will also have to provide an EPC when they buy, sell or let commercial premises