This guide is for Energy Performance Certificates. It’s an important document that details a property’s energy use as well as typical energy costs. Since 2008, they are required by law. They are similar to gas safety certificates.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Every appliance that you buy has a colour sticker to indicate how efficient it is in terms of energy efficiency. The same applies to buildings. Every building has an EPC rating ranging from A to G. The highest efficiency is the best. This rating tells you how expensive it is to heat or cool your home.
An EPC provides information about a property’s energy consumption and average energy costs. It also makes recommendations for ways to improve efficiency and reduce energy usage. This certificate must be ordered before the property can be put on the market if you are a landlord or seller. You may be allowed to use the EPC you were given when you purchased the property if it is still valid.
EPCs can be viewed for any property with one at the national EPC registry.
What is an EPC?
An EPC is required for any property that you sell or rent out. An EPC is required if you are selling or leasing commercial property.
Some exemptions from the requirement for an EPC exist. These include:
A room rented within a house.
Some types of listed properties
It is impossible to modify a property to make it more efficient in terms of energy consumption.
What is the cost of an EPC?
No matter if you’re looking to rent or buy, an EPC should not be charged. The seller, landlord or their agent should present it to you free of charge.
An EPC can be commissioned for personal use to reduce energy consumption, but you’ll have to pay. You can get quotes from several companies to compare prices.
What information can an EPC display?
An EPC will look similar to the multi-coloured sticker you find on new household appliances. It will contain:
An energy efficiency rating
How much it will cost to run your home
Here is a summary of key features that affect energy performance
An EPC’s energy efficiency rating will tell you how efficient your property is in terms of energy consumption. This rating is a graded A-G, as we have already mentioned.
A D grade will be given to an older property that has not had retrofitted energy-saving technology. For failing to attain an E grade, landlords can be penalized up to PS4,000.
This summary of energy performance-related features will allow you to determine how efficient various aspects of your home. It can be used as a guideline to help you decide which areas to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Who can perform an EPC?
An EPC can be issued by an accredited domestic energy assessor. You can have one issued by an estate agent or a letting agent. However, you can search the EPC Register yourself to find one in your local area.
