Energy Performance Certificates
Questions and answers
Why does WWF work on this issue?
What is an Energy performance certificate?
Why do I have to have an EPC?
How long does it last?
How much does a EPC cost?
Can I get an Energy Performance Certificate if I am not selling my home?
Where can I get an Energy Performance Certificate?
Once I have an EPC, what happens next?
Are EPCs worth it?
Will it really make a difference?
What else is included in a HIP?
How do I get a Home Information Pack?
Q. Why does WWF work on this issue?
A. In the UK our homes account for 22% of our ecological footprint (our impact on the environment) and about 30% of our carbon emissions. Our homes also influence our decisions on how we travel to work or school, and where we buy our food.
WWF aims through the One Planet Future campaign for every house in the UK, (26 million homes) to become much more sustainable by 2020.
To be sustainable we aim for all our homes to be well insulated, all our appliances to be energy efficient and all our wood will come from well managed forests.
Such a transformation would require at least a one-third reduction in carbon emissions from homes across the country. This is absolutely essential if we in the UK are to play our role in stopping catastrophic climate change.
As most of the houses in the UK are fairly old we can't turn all of them into the dream eco-house but we can transform our homes to the point where they are as sustainable as they can be.
Q. What is an Energy performance certificate?
A. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides your home with an official energy efficiency rating. Similar to the ratings given on fridges and washing machines, your home will be rated on an A to G scale (A being the most efficient).
It provides you with clear recommendations on how to improve your home energy efficiency, which will result in lower fuel bills and less CO2 emissions which contribute to climate change.
Based on this the certificate also lists the potential rating of the building if all the cost-effective measures recommended are installed.
Certificates carry two current ratings. The environmental impact rating measures your home's impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the energy efficiency rating which measure your home's overall efficiency.
Each rating is based on the performance of the building itself and its services (such as heating and lighting), rather than the domestic appliances within it.
The ratings will vary according to the age, location, size and condition of the building. The potential rating on the certificate will take these factors into account, and the suggested measures will be tailored so that they are realistic for the particular building.
The EPC also provides information on helplines to access information on available grants to carry out these energy efficiency improvements.
Q. Why do I have to have an EPC?
A. An EPC is an essential part of the Home Information Pack. If you are selling your property, depending on the size of your home, you will need a Home Information Pack (HIP).
Since 10 September HIPs have been required for homes with three or more bedrooms, and from December 14 they will be required on all homes.
HIPs have been introduced to speed up the process of selling a house, and also to alleviate stress and uncertainty. Importantly, they also offer real benefits to homeowners, alerting them to the energy savings they can make at home. This will reduce their home's impact on the environment, and result in savings on energy bills.
Q. How long does it last?
A. This is under consultation by the government, but at present an EPC will last for one year. If you commission work on your home within the year, you can attach the receipts to show the buyer you have improved the energy efficiency of your home.
As an EPC is only legal for one year, if you sell your property after it has expired, even if you've had no work done, you will need to get a new one. This is to ensure that the EPCs are providing current, relevant information.
Q. How much does a EPC cost?
A. An Energy Performance Certificate will cost between £100 and £150, although evidence is already showing this cost to be dropping.
Q. Can I get an Energy Performance Certificate if I am not selling my home?
A. Absolutely, you can commission one as a stand alone document or as part of a Home Information Pack. By finding out the energy efficiency of your home you could make improvements that will lessen your home's CO2 emissions and result in significant reductions to your energy bills. Our homes currently account for about 30% of the UK's carbon emissions, so it is vital that we take steps to improve their energy efficiency.
Q. Where can I get an Energy Performance Certificate?
A. If you are not selling your home and would like to get an EPC to see what improvements can be made on your home, you will need to find a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA). You can do this by searching your local directory or internet for business listings.
The Home Information Pack website does provide a list of Home Office approved energy assessors.
If you are selling your house and the EPC will just be part of your Home Information Pack, whoever is advertising your property will be able to advise where to go to get the information you need. (See How do I get a Home Information Pack?)
Q. Once I have an EPC, what happens next?
A. After an Assessor has issued your EPC, they will provide you with a list of recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient.
If you do not want to act on the suggestions, you don't have to. However, the long term benefits of reduced energy bills and reduced environmental impact far outweigh short term costs.
Q. Are EPCs worth it?
A. Absolutely, yes! The CO2 released from our homes accounts for a shocking 30% of the UK's carbon emissions. By making your home more energy efficient, you are not only saving money on your fuel bills but also cutting the amount of CO2 released into the environment.
For home owners, EPCs will provide clear guidance as to where you can make the most savings on your energy bills and CO2 emissions and for potential buyers, the results give clear indications of potential costs implications for running the property and for bringing it up to an energy efficient standard.
Q. Will it really make a difference?
A. There are 26 million homes in the UK and the average home emits around 6 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
If everyone with gas central heating installed a new condensing boiler, we'd cut emissions by 13.7 million tonnes. We'd also save around £1.6 billion per year on our energy bills and enough energy to heat over 3.7 million homes for a year.
So, yes, we all need to take action and help others to take action with us.
Q. What else is included in a HIP?
A. As well as the EPC, the HIP contains a sale statement, searches and evidence of title. Read more about Home Information Packs
Q. How do I get a Home Information Pack?
A. There are a number of different ways to get a Home Information Pack if you are selling your property.
You can use an estate agent, a solicitor or a specialist pack provider. Alternatively you can compile your own Home Information pack.
Read the most up to date advice and information.