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What is an energy performance certificate?

The purpose of an EPC is to give you an indication of how much it will cost you to heat and light the property, and how much CO2 the property emits. In a similar way to the multi-coloured stickers you see on new domestic appliances tell you how energy efficient the appliance is, EPC ratings vary from “G” – the most inefficient rating indicated in red – to “A”, which means very efficient and indicated in dark green.

What else can an EPC tell me about my property?

You will also see a numerical score for the current and potential energy ratings of the property, along with recommendations from the assessor covering the areas in which improvements can be made. This could include everything from adding insulation to switching to energy-saving lightbulbs.

The idea behind an EPC is both to inform you of what you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your property, and hence save money, and also to show how attractive the property is from an energy perspective for potential buyers.

The better the rating, the lower the cost of running the property.

How to read an EPC

Not all EPCs look the same, but they should all be clear and easy to understand. The address at the top of the document should be correct, while elements such as Date of Assessment, Date of Certificate, Reference Number and Total Floor Area should all be fairly self-explanatory. The Type of Assessment field will show either SAP or RDSAP. These are the two types of assessment methodology – RDSAP stands for Reduced SAP and is a cheaper assessment method.

The next section indicates potential costs and potential savings based on the thermal coverage of the floor, walls and roof of the property. This is then extrapolated to produce the energy efficiency rating, which should be at the bottom of the report.

What are the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards?

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) came into force on 1 April 2018 and set new energy efficiency regulations for privately rented properties throughout the UK. It is designed to highlight low standards of energy efficiency in properties in a bid to get landlords to take measures to raise them.

With the MEES in force, the lowest rating a privately rented property is allowed to achieve is an “E” – anything rated at “F” or “G” is not allowed to be rented out.

The landlord will be required to make these improvements to bring a property’s rating up to “E” but can only spend a maximum of £3,500. If the property cannot be improved to that point without spending more than £3,500, they will be able to apply for an exemption.

What is the EPC register?

The EPC register both stores existing certificates and allows homeowners to find a registered domestic energy assessor to conduct a review of their property.

It also allows anyone having an energy performance review undertaken to check whether the inspector is properly accredited.

Once a property has a certificate, it is placed on the EPC register, where certificates can be easily retrieved. EPCs are valid for ten years.

Who produces energy reports and EPCs?

EPCs can only be produced by accredited domestic energy assessors in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, Energy Performance Certificates can only be produced by organisations approved by the Scottish Government, while only chartered surveyors registered with RICS can produce energy reports.

How to get an EPC

Contact us, we are registered and approved and are also TrustMark registered, we can carry out the assessment and lodge your new EPC the same day. We also offer some of the most competitive prices for homes and rental properties anywhere in the country.

What happens during the EPC assessment?

A domestic energy assessor will visit the property and take into consideration a number of factors to determine how energy-efficient your house is.

The assessor will need access to the entire property and will take photographs and measurements. Their checks will include:

·  The lighting used including how many low-energy light bulbs are fitted in the property

·  The overall size of the property

·  The type of insulation used and how much it is used throughout the building

·  The heating systems located on the property including working fireplaces

·  The type of windows used throughout the house, i.e. single, double or triple-glazing.

How long does an EPC assessment take?

While it depends on the size of the property, most domestic EPC assessments can take up to an hour on average.

Can an EPC save me money?

As well as telling you what measures to undertake, new EPCs give far more detail on the potential cost of upgrading your heating, lighting and water.

It also tells you the savings you can make on your bills after you’ve made the upgrades, to give you a cost comparison.

You’ll also be able to see the total savings you could make on your property and the EPC rating you’ll receive after the upgrades.

Additionally, the MEES is good news for tenants because it should see energy costs become lower in the long run. With better insulation, more energy-efficient lighting and other measures taken to improve the energy efficiency of the property, you should end up paying less in energy costs.

How much do EPCs cost?

Most assessors charge between £65 and £120 for a typical property, we charge significantly less, we do more surveys and are happy to work harder and pass savings on to you. We have been involved in the energy efficiency industry for over 40 years and as such can offer the very best service and advice based on years of practical and relevant experiance.

By contact us you are also dealing directly with the assessor, there is no middleman, this is also one of the reasons that we are more competitive, we generate our own work and do not rely on others who try and sell us leads.

Does my property need an Energy Performance Certificate?

If you are looking to sell or rent your property then you need an Energy Performance Certificate.

However, even if you’re not intending to sell your property, getting an EPC is a cheap and quick way to assess the energy-saving potential of your property. We can also offer advice and guidance and let you know about grants and schemes that are available for both heating and insulation improvements.

Prospective landlords looking to rent their property must also have an EPC available for tenants to view. If they fail to produce one, they could face a fine. The current minimum rating to be able to rent a property is E, this is rising shortly to a C rating and can be alot harder to achieve, we can advise you about how to fully comply or how to apply for an exemption.

The only other situation where you may need an Energy Performance Certificate is if you are looking to geyt a grant for heating or insulation improvements.

How can you improve your home’s EPC rating?

If you’re looking to sell a property you will need to order an Energy Performance Certificate before you market the property to sell. As the property owner, you are responsible for obtaining an EPC for potential buyers.

Do I need an EPC if I’m buying or renting?

By law, landlords and letting agents are responsible for providing an Energy Performance Certificate for any properties they put up for rent.

If you are renting a property, you are not required to order an EPC. However, you should ask the agent or landlord to show you a valid EPC before you sign a tenancy agreement.

If you weren’t aware of this and have already moved into a rental property, you can still ask your letting agent or landlord to see the property’s EPC. If they fail to produce a valid EPC, you can make a complaint to your local Trading Standards office. If your landlord or letting agent fails to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate, they may face a fine.

Which buildings are not legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate?

While most buildings are legally required to have an EPC, there are exemptions. These include:

·  Some listed buildings where certain minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter their character or appearance

·  Some buildings in conservation areas

·  Places of worship

·  Holiday properties that are rented out less than four months per year

·  Some buildings that are scheduled to be demolished

·  Residential properties that are intended to be used for less than four months a year

·  Buildings that stand alone with less than 50 square metres of floor space

·  Temporary buildings that will only be used for up to two years.

For the full list of exempt buildings see the government’s dedicated EPC site.

How can you improve your home’s EPC rating?

It’s in your interests, whether selling or buying, to increase the EPC rating of your property as much as possible, and the only way to do that is to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Simple steps like ensuring you have adequate loft insulation installed, investigating whether cavity-wall insulation is suitable for your property, and installing draught-proofing measures around doors, windows, fireplaces and letterboxes, should be your first steps.

Read more in our simple guide to home insulation.

FAQs

When do I need an EPC?

An EPC is legally required whenever a property is constructed, sold or rented. There’s a fixed penalty of £200 for not obtaining one when it is needed.

Can a property fail an EPC inspection?

It’s not technically possible to fail an EPC inspection, but it is possible for a property to be given a rating of “G”, which is the lowest rating and indicates that the property is extremely energy-inefficient. Any property rated “G” would need to take major steps to improve the rating to at least “E”, which is the minimum rating specified under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

How do I get a copy of my EPC?

If you live in rented accommodation you can get a copy of your Energy Performance Certificate by contacting your landlord or letting agent.

If you own the property or would rather get your EPC without contacting your landlord, you can visit the EPC Register website.

To get a copy of the report, you’ll need the Report Reference Number (RNN) or you can search with the property postcode.

How long is an EPC valid for?

An EPC is valid for ten years, but once it has expired, there is no legal requirement to renew until the property is either let to new tenants or sold.

What if I have questions about my EPC?

There are various resources online for those who have questions about an EPC. Three of the key places to look are: