​Why Do You Need An Energy Performance Certificate Epc?

Landlords require EPC certificates to ensure their properties are energy efficient before leasing them. When a building is constructed, sold, or rented, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is needed by law. EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) illustrate how energy efficient a building is to potential home buyers or tenants. It contains critical information on the property’s energy efficiency, including a clear rating of a building’s energy performance on a scale of A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient. In addition, the EPC includes data on projected energy prices and carbon dioxide emissions. A colored chart, similar to those found on household electrical appliances, depicts the building’s current or potential energy efficiency.

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What Is The Benefit Of An EPC Certificate?

Whilst it is obligatory for home owners to have a domestic EPC if they are looking to sell or rent their property, there are other benefits as well.

Firstly, your domestic EPC will give you (and future occupants) the chance to see how energy efficient your house is now, but also in the future. The recommendations that are given mean that you can make your property more attractive to potential buyers or tenants by making it more energy efficient.

A domestic EPC will give you a good understanding of the energy efficiency of your property at a glance, and it is simple and easy to make sense of.

An EPC certificate has the benefit of highlighting areas of high energy usage. Landlords are then able to accurately target areas that can help to save tenants money by increasing the energy efficiency rating. EPC’s will also show a landlord the best properties prior to purchase.

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The A to G Scale on the EPC Certificate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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. EPCs apply also to commercial buildings and are rated only by Carbon Dioxide emission ratings on a scale of A-G.

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What happens during the assessor’s visit?

The amount of time that our energy assessor will spend at your home depends on its size, and the degree of access that they have to the house. Our energy assessor will look at a number of factors in the house, including:

The size of the building

Your lighting

Cavity wall and loft insulation

Hot water and central heating systems

The energy efficiency of the windows

Ventilation

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What is the Law about your Property having a valid EPC?

Owners or landlords of domestic properties to be sold or rented are now required by law to give a Domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to a new buyer or tenant. According to current legislation, if you intend to sell a domestic home, you must order an EPC before putting it on the market. Within 28 days of marketing, all estate agents must file a comprehensive EPC certificate check. A Landlord must furnish a potential tenant with a copy of the current domestic Energy Performance Certificate for his specified space under the same law.

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How long is an EPC certificate valid for?

An energy performance certificate is effective for 10 years. However, if you have made any changes or modifications to your property within this period, we would suggest that you refresh your EPC, thus ensuring your property shows an up to date and correct efficiency level record.

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How can an EPC help you improve your energy efficiency?

EPCs are issued using standard building information. This makes it simple for potential buyers and tenants to evaluate the energy efficiency of all the properties they’re considering. It also shows them how much heating and lighting a building might cost before signing a contract. Each domestic EPC certificate has a report outlining the cost-effective strategies homeowners or businesses may take to improve their property’s energy efficiency and rating.

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Are there any Exemptions?

Some homes don’t need to have an Energy Performance Certificate according to law. These are:

Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years

Stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor space of less than 50m2

Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy

Some buildings that are due to be demolished

Holiday accommodation that is rented out for less than 4 months per year or is let under a licence to occupy

Listed buildings – get advice from your local authority conservation officer if energy efficiency work would alter the building’s character

Residential buildings which are intended to be used for less than 4 months a year

We recommend that if you think that your house is exempt from the EPC requirement, you check with a specialist to ensure that you are covered.

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Are there penalties for not getting a Certificate?

The law is very clear on its requirement for domestic EPCs. The responsibility is on the current owner to make sure that they have a residential EPC if they are selling or renting out the property.

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Who is able to do EPC assessments?

Only a competent “accredited” Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) for residential property or a Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) for commercial property can provide an EPC.

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How to get an EPC Certificate for your property.

If you live in Merseyside, Wirral or Chester, call or text EPC Surveys North West today on 07749637272

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