What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Posted by Andi

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) measures the energy efficiency of a domestic property, it is used when a property is built, sold or rented to provide all the information on a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and to make recommendations about how to reduce energy usage and increase efficiency.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is valid for 10 years from when they are issued and similar to the multi-coloured sticker on new household appliances they tell you how energy efficient a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient) and let the person who will use the building know how costly it will be to heat and light, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.

Energy Performance Certificate Clipboard

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will also state what the energy-efficiency rating could be if you made the recommended improvements to the property, and highlights cost-effective ways to achieve a better rating. It’s important to understand that any estimations for energy use and potential savings are for a typical household in that type of property and they are not tailored to you personally or your family. If you choose to implement any of the energy efficiency recommendations outlined in your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), you may wish to get a fresh certificate to include these improvements.

Back in 2012 Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were updated to help support the Green Deal, making up a part of its assessment. The Green Deal was introduced to help homeowners make energy-saving improvements to their property like installing Solar Panels and Air Source Heat Pumps to improve their home heating and lower their carbon footprint and in turn, lower their energy bills by moving away from fuels like oil and gas. When this Green Deal ended it was replaced by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme where you can claim £7,500 upfront towards the cost of installing an Air Source Heat Pump in your home.

Back in April 2018 Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards were introduced and made it a legal requirement for all privately owned properties to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of at least an ‘E’ before they are sold or let, this legislation applies to both domestic and commercial properties, although there are some exemptions, for example, if a property is a listed building.