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Energy Performance Assessment and Certification

Green Life Solutions will be happy to provide your energy performance certificate (EPC). Please contact us for further details and pricing.

Energy Performance Certificates and your home

An Energy Performance Certificate is part of a Home Information Pack. The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate.

Energy performance certificates (EPC) rate the energy performance of a building. The idea is similar to the well-established energy labels for the sale of white goods such as fridges and washing machines. Two types of energy certificate are required in different circumstances: Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all buildings when they are constructed, sold or rented out; and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for large, public buildings occupied by public authorities or institutions providing a public service to a large number of persons which need to be displayed at all times.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's)

These certificates are for all buildings and will be required whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold.

The purpose of the Energy Performance Certificate is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type.

This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

When are assessments required?

An Energy Performance Certificate is only required when a building is constructed, sold or rented out. An EPC is valid for 10 years, except for sales of homes which are subject to the Home Information Pack Regulations 2007, where a Home Information Pack (HIP) is required. In these cases an EPC must be no more than 12 months old when the property is first marketed.

On Construction

When the construction of a new building is completed, the builder or person responsible for the construction is responsible for obtaining the certificate and providing it to the owner. This is a duty under Building Regulations. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and there are changes to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ ventilation services.

Homes will require an EPC on construction or such conversion from 1 January 2008. Commercial buildings will require an EPC on construction or such conversion from 6 April 2008.

When the measures are being introduced

The legislation for EPBD was laid in Parliament in March 2007, and will come into force in a phased manner as outlined in the table below.

The first key milestone will be when EPCs are introduced for the marketed sale of domestic homes, as part of the Home Information Pack.

From April 2008, we will begin to roll out EPCs for newly built homes, as well as across commercial property for sale, rent or construction. By October 2008 all public buildings will have a display certificate.

The phasing of the measures is provided in the table below:

6 April 2008	EPCs required on construction for all dwellings. EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2
1 July 2008	EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2.
1 October 2008	EPCs required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings. Display certificates required for all public buildings >1,000 m2

Questions and Answers

1. What is the timetable for implementing the measures?

The legislation for EPBD will be laid in Parliament in March 2007 and will come into force in a phased manner between 6 April 2007 and 4 January 2009.

The roll-out will be phased by building sector.

2. What are the benefits to me as a landlord?

The energy rating can help rent out your property. They indicate to a prospective buyer or tenant how energy efficient your home is. It should also provide information that may help to reduce the running cost of the property.

3. Who is responsible for obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate?

For buildings that are to be sold, the building's owner will be responsible for ensuring a certificate is available; this should be shown, on request, to any prospective purchaser, and should in any case be provided by the owner to the ultimate purchaser before a contract for sale is made.

4. What buildings will be exempt from providing Energy Performance Certificates?

The following buildings are exempt from requiring an EPC:

• Places of worship
• Temporary buildings with a planned time of use of 2yrs or less
• Particular buildings with low energy demand (e.g. barns).
• In certain limited circumstances buildings to be demolished are exempt from requiring a certificate.
• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is not required for any (off-plan) sales or lettings before the construction of the building has been completed.

5. How much will Energy Performance Certificates cost?

The price of an energy performance certificate (EPC) will vary according to the size, type and location of the property.

The current cost of a standalone Energy Performance Certificate varies between £90 and £150 (plus VAT) depending on the size of your property. Please ask Green Life Solutions for a quote.

6. Will Energy Performance Certificates be required for rented accommodation?

Yes. The EU requires that Energy Performance Certificates will need to be provided for all buildings when they are constructed, sold or rented.

7. How long will it take to perform an energy assessment?

The time taken to perform an energy assessment will vary according to the size and nature of the property.

8. Is an Energy Performance Certificate required for the private sale of a home between two individuals?

Yes. The EU Directive requires that Energy Performance Certificates will need to be provided for all buildings when they are constructed, sold or rented out. A new Energy Performance Certificate will be required for the Home Information Pack. Where the Energy Performance Certificate is provided separately from a Home Information Pack an existing Energy Performance Certificate may be used as long as it is still valid.

9. What happens if my home gets a low rating?

This simply indicates your home could be more energy efficient. During the inspection a number of recommendations to improve the energy efficiency will be identified. Implementation of these could not only increase your rating and reduce carbon emissions but also save money on energy bills. It is up to you whether you implement the recommendations or not.