energy performance certificate
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a certificate which provides information on how energy efficient a property is and ways to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
The EPC was introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Any property that is built, sold or rented out is required by law to have a certificate.
An EPC contains:
- Information on a property’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, and
- A recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
The property will be given an energy efficiency rating which shows the energy and carbon emission efficiency using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least. These are similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. All homes are measured in the same way, allowing you to compare the energy efficiency of different properties.
The recommendation report shows improvements that can be made to help reduce the amount of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:
- Suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
- Possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
- How the recommendations would change the energy carbon emission rating of the property
- Detailed estimates of potential energy use, carbon dioxide emissions and fuel costs
- Details of the person who carried out the EPC assessment
- Details of who to contact if you want to make a complaint
It is not necessary to act on the recommendations in the report but if you decided to do so, it could make your property more energy efficient.
EPC's are produced by an accredited domestic energy assessor following a visit to the property. They are valid for 10 years and the cost of one is set by the accredited organisations that issue them.