Domestic EPCs

The EPC

An EPC is compiled after an inspection of the premises by a qualified Energy Assessor or Home Inspector. The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is similar to the certificates produced with many domestic appliances such as refrigerators. It provides a rating for energy efficiency and the environmental impact.

Energy Efficiency Rating

EPCs provide information about how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A-G. The rating is not affected by living habits of the occupying household or heating patterns. The average energy rating for a dwelling in England and Wales has a rating of 46/100 (Band E).

Environmental Impact Rating

The EPCs also provide information about the impact a property has on the environment in relation to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. Again this is on a scale of A-G with homes in band A having less CO2 emissions than band G and thus less impact on the environment.

Recommendations

In addition, the Energy Performance Certificate will indicate what actions could be taken to improve the energy efficiency rating with an indication of possible annual savings on fuel bills. The recommendations will allow buyers and sellers to make informed decisions about what improvements to make.

The Inspection

The inspection will take on average just under an hour. It is an inspection focusing on:

• Age of Property
• Construction of walls and floors
• Size and volume
• Insulation of walls, floor and roof
• Fuels used for heating and hot water
• Heating Systems
• Hot Water Systems
• Windows and double/single glazing and age of double glazing
• Fixed Lighting normal or low energy
• Electricity meter tariff (single rate or multi-rate)

The Assessor will need access to the loft hatch but can provide a ladder if necessary. Any documents the seller possesses relating to extensions, replacement windows, cavity wall fill etc will be very useful. Each and every assessment is fully documented with plans, photographs, calculations, reports and lodged securely on line.

The Result

This information is fed into the approved software programme which produces the EPC and recommendation report. It is also recorded onto a national register. It is available to the general public. The certificate is then ready to be made available to prospective buyers or tenants.

An EPC can be printed on paper and posted to the property owner, but is most usually sent as a computer file attached to an email. This file will be kept with the accreditation agency, with the surveyor and with the property owner or his agent. All data is also backed up to a secure data vault off-site. This private information is secure.

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