The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is similar to the certificates produced with many domestic appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. It provides a rating for energy efficiency and the environmental impact of the property.
Energy Efficiency Rating
EPCs provide information about how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A-G, with band A being the most efficient. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower fuel bills will be.
Environmental Impact Rating
The EPCs also provide information about the impact a property has on the environment in relation to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. Again this is on a scale of A-G with homes in band A having less CO2 emissions than band G. The higher the rating the less impact the property has on the environment.
The certificate also indicates improvements that could be made to the individual property in order to save you money and lessen the impact on the environment
The potential rating will take into account the recommended improvements and show the rating achievable for the property, if the improvements were installed.
Each rating is based on the performance of the property itself including its services (heating and lighting). The rating is not affected by living habits of the occupying household (household size, electrical appliances and individual heating patterns).
The average energy rating for a dwelling in England and Wales has a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) rating 60/100 placing the average property in Band D.
From 1st April 2020 the updated MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) regulations will make it illegal to rent a privately rented residential property with an EPC rating of “F” or “G”
From 20th September 2020 all EPCs will be lodged onto the Energy Performance of Buildings Central Register. This is a move away from the previous format which allowed a PDF version of the EPC, to a portal accessed via a URL weblink to the gov.uk website. The government has changed the design and content of the EPC to ensure the most relevant information is available and easy to follow, along with links to grants and funding available for improving the energy efficiency of the property. All EPCs can now be accessed via the gov.uk website/URL
Click here for an example of the previous EPC prior to Sept 2020.
