Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)for residential properties
If you already know all about EPCs and wish to order one for a residential property please
click here
If you need an EPC for a commercial property please click here
If you are looking for more information about residential Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) please read on...
An EPC is an objective report on the energy efficiency of your home. It also provides recommendations
as to how you could make your home more energy efficient.
All homes that are marketed as for sale must have a Home Information Pack (HIP).
The EPC is one of the key components of the HIP. It lasts 3 years. As from October 2008
all residential properties for rent must also have an EPC which is less than 10 years old.
Why have they passed this new law?
The UK government has introduced this in response to an EU Directive aimed at reducing the amount
of energy used and carbon dioxide produced by buildings in an effort to tackle global warming.
What is required to get an EPC?
An internal and external inspection of your home is carried out. It will ;
- note the construction of the walls
- measure roof insulation and calculate heat loss through the roof
- confirm how many windows are double glazed
- confirm the type of heating system (eg radiators, underfloor)
- note the make and model of boiler
- count the number of open fireplaces
- identify any energy saving devices (eg solar panels, wind turbines)
- note whether low-energy lightbulbs are used
- check for insulation of the hot water cylinder
- calculate the areas of rooms, windows, conservatories and extensions
- note how many 'habitable' rooms are heated
All this information is put into a computer programme that calculates the energy efficiency
of your home and compares that to the maximum realistic efficiency that could be achieved given
its age and construction. A certificate is then issued which states your home's energy efficiency rating
and its potential rating and lists a number of cost-effective improvements that could be made to improve its energy efficiency.
EPCs can only be produced by qualified Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) or Home Inspectors (HIs) who are members of a
licensed accreditation scheme. All such qualified and accredited individuals have followed an intensive training course
and their background has been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau. The quality of their work is constantly monitored and checked at random by their
accreditation body.
What is the cost of an EPC?
The government has not set a standard fee for an EPC and prices vary dramatically.
HertsPRO Ltd charge as follows;
