An EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate, which gives information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC.

An energy performance certificate is now legally required for all properties to be sold or let in the UK at the point of marketing.

The agent, landlord, or private vendor is responsible for ensuring that the survey is carried out.  There are fines for non-compliance.

• Information on your home’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions
• A recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions

Over 29% of the United Kingdom’s carbon emissions come from domestic dwellings. The UK is also dependant other countries for its energy demands.

The government’s target is to reduce carbon emissions and make the UK more self-reliant through the use of renewable technologies. They aim to do this over the next few years with a combination of information via Energy Performance Certificates (EPCS), which are legally required when letting or selling a property.

Useful links:

Renewables
Commercial EPC

“Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure”, which is based on the SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) that is used for new buildings and has been in existence since 1995. However, the RdSAP is simplified and does not require as much data as a SAP calculation EPC.

RdSAP is for use with existing dwellings, which means not newly built or converted, i.e. they have not been occupied as a home previously. Existing dwelling assessments and EPCs can only be undertaken by an Accredited Domestic Assessors.

“Standard Assessment Procedure” SAP

The full SAP methodology is used for newly built dwellings, including those dwellings created by conversion (change of use) of an existing building and only On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors (OCDEAs) can undertake this work.

The EPC will grade the property from A-G, depending on how energy efficient it is. The most efficient property with the lowest fuel bills with have an ‘A’ band.

The most efficient home will have the least carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

All energy performance certificates include recommendations for improvements, and are valid for 10 years unless a thermal element is changed like the double glazing or boiler, or there are structural changes.

The Energy Act 2011 commits the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to bring into force by 1 April 2018 regulations making it unlawful to let properties in England and Wales which do not meet a prescribed minimum energy performance standard (MEPS). All rental properties which require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) in accordance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012 will be within scope. DECC’s recent consultation paper has reiterated their desire for the minimum energy standard to be an EPC rating of ‘E’.

A soft start – meaning only new leases will need to comply with the minimum

EPC rating of ‘E’ by 1st April 2018;

A hard start – affecting all leases from the 1st April 2018; or

A phased introduction – meaning a soft start of 1st April 2018 for all new leases with a hard backstop of 2023 for all existing leases. This is the Government’s preferred option.

A DEA inspection will be carried out by one of our accredited approved assessors, who will take floors plans, and carry out a survey of the property looking at the lighting, heating, and the building structure. They will take photos as a record of the information they have collected.

Additionally, they will ask for information regarding the glazing and when it was installed.

Please advise where they are.

If the loft space is accessible and safe the inspector will go into the loft to check the insulation.

Windows or doors to the external areas of the building might be opened to assess the thickness of the walls.

Photographs of some appliances and parts of the building will be taken.

Please note that no furnishing will need to be removed.

The average time for an inspection depends on the size of the property.

If there are pets in the property they will need to be restrained.

*If an appointment is missed or access is denied and a return visit is required a fee will be levied.

*We cannot carry out inspections in properties where there are children under the age of 16 in sole charge.

If you are looking to refurbish you property with an extension you will need to have SAP calculations to determine the carbon footprint of the building. This is required by building regulations and your local planning office will require these.