Energy Performance Certificates

Overview

An Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.

The Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System came into force within the provisions of the Housing Act in April 2006. The European Directive sets out the provision for the energy performance of buildings and the issues of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). These apply to homeowners, operators and developers of properties. An Energy Performance Certificate will be required at the time of sale of the property.

The certificate will show the energy efficiency of the property at the time of inspection, the environmental impact and what recommendations can be made for improvement.

The types of property not requiring an Energy Performance Certificate are properties of mixed usage – i.e a commercial building with living accommodation above. Properties that are being sold will have a Home Information Pack (HIP) and within this pack will be an EPC. This is meant to make the selling and buying of properties more efficient.

Why is the Certificate Important

Nearly 40 per cent of the UK's energy consumption arises from the way in which our 25 million buildings are lit, heated and used. Even comparatively minor changes in energy performance and the way we use each building will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption - and therefore carbon emissions.

Communities and Local Government is leading the introduction of a number of energy and cost-saving measures to make all buildings more efficient. These measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings.

The Energy Performance Certificate is part of these new measures to improve property efficiency. It will include suggestions to enable homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of the building. This can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers, and could make homes more attractive to potential purchasers.

The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust, who can help you find out whether you could be eligible for grants or discounts to help carry out these improvements to your home. It will also list simple ways that changes in behaviour can save you energy and money - without the need for any works

What happens to Energy Performance Certificates once they're complete?

All domestic Energy Performance Certificates are lodged in a central database. Energy Assessors (through their Accreditation Schemes) lodge them as they produce them, and each is given a unique reference number. Access to the database is restricted, so only those who have the unique reference number can access the certificate for a particular property.