EPC Background

With effect from 1st August 2007, the Seller of a residential property with 4 or more bedrooms was legally required to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP). This requirement was extended on the 10th September 2007 to all 3 bedroom residential properties. As from 14th December 2007, all residential properties now require a Home Information Pack (HIP).

An integral part of any Home Information Pack (HIP) is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Why the measures are being introduced.

Nearly 50 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 the energy performance of and the way we use each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption, and hence, carbon emissions.

Given the UK Govenment’s support of the Kyoto Protocol and of its challenging targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, reducing the energy consumption attributable to buildings is a key policy objective.

Energy Performance of Buildings.

In 1997 many countries around the world recognised the growing problems of ever increasing levels of greenhouse gases and agreed to take action to reduce the problem. These countries signed upto the Kyoto Protocol which agreed a set of measures to reduce C02 emissions.

As buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of all energy consumed in the UK, it is vital that we make our buildings more energy effecient. At the forecast rate of building a large proportion of curent buildings will still be in use in 2050, so improving the performance of exisitng buildings is a particular priority.

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

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

These certificates are for all buildings (that meet the definition below). With this form of certificate the building is given an asset rating. This assesses the capability of the building to be energy efficient. This type of certificate is required whenever the building is constructed, sold or rented.

The certificate will give the building a grading ranging from A to G (A being very efficient while G is inefficient). The certificate will be accompanied by recommendaations for cost-effective actions to improve the rating.

The exact form of the EPC will vary according to the sector use and size of the building. A copy of the EPC to be used for marketed sale of dwellings is shown below.