About EPCs
What is an EPC?
WHAT IS AN EPC?
The purpose of an Energy Performance Certificate is to record how energy efficient a property is. The certificate will provide a rating of energy efficiency and Co2 emissions of a building from A to G.
A= Very efficient G= Very inefficient
The EPC contains information about the properties energy use and typical costs and recommendations on how lessen energy use and save money.
An EPC is compliance to the Energy Performance of Building Directive.
It is a legal requirement to have an EPC whenever a building is sold, rented or constructed and will be valid for 10 years. Since 1st April 2018 the minimum EPC rating to rent a property is E and is unlawful to do so if tenants are living in G or F rated buildings.
What’s involved?
Before the assessment
Before we carry out the assessment, the assessor will ask a few questions over the phone or via Email/text about the property that will be inspected.
During the assessment
- Checking the age of the property, build form and position.
- Observing the amount of heated habitable rooms.
- Checking the main heating system, water heating system and any secondary heating systems.
- Inspecting to see if there are any open fire places.
- Measuring floor area, storey height, heat loss perimeter and party wall length.
- Counting the number of window and external doors and inspecting the glazing type.
- Surveying the wall construction, insulation, wall thickness.
- Checking the amount of light fittings and low energy bulbs in the property.
- Observing the floor construction.
- Inspecting the roof construction and loft insulation.
- Surveying any extensions or conservatories added to the property.
- Counting the number of rooms with showers and/or baths.
- Checking if the property has had any PV solar panels or other renewable technology added (plus certificates).
- Inspecting gas and electricity meters.
Book a residential EPC online today
The UK’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions
In 1997 at the Kyoto Protocol the UK promised to reduce all of its carbon emissions by 80% before 2050.
More information about the Kyoto protocol.
At the Paris agreement in 2015 the European Union committed to reduce all greenhouse gas emissions by 40% across all countries. This is to prevent the Earth’s temperature from rising to 2 Degrees Celsius where damage will be irreversible. We are currently at 1 Degree Celsius.
More information about the UK’s commitment at the Paris Agreement.
Check if your property has an existing EPC
Government funded home improvement schemes
GREEN HOMES GRANT SEPTEMBER 2020
You can receive a voucher for home improvements from the government up to £10,000 where the government will cover 2 thirds of the cost and you pay the rest. Home improvement work must be completed by 31st March 2021.
(Only applies to homeowners/landlords, not applicable for people moving into new build homes).
GREEN DEAL APRIL 2012
You can have energy saving technology installed into your home with no upfront cost and pay the cost through you energy bill. I.e. your home will be more energy efficient and will cost less to run so your monthly bill will either; remain roughly the same or be slightly cheaper, as you are paying back the cost of the home improvement.
Simple Energy Advice
Telephone: 0800 444 202
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
ECO FUND APRIL 2013
You can receive support from certain energy companies for home improvements as it is their obligation as a company to provide greener technology for households and energy bill costs are not getting cheaper.
REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS
To see what primary measures you need to make to improve the energy efficiency of your home try this calculator.
There are also some great tips and advice on how to improve your properties energy efficiency!
