Energy Performance Certificate

(Home Sellers)


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The Energy Performance Certificate was introduced as a result of a European environmental policy initiative, the aim is to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and slow down global warming. The certificate is a computer-aided assessment of a building's energy efficiency which is generated using a simplified version of the Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP). This allows for a direct comparison between all houses, their utility bills and running costs.

it also makes suggestions to increase the thermal efficiencies of the building, reduce carbon emissions with potential monetary saving.. These are purely recommendations but ideal for illustrating what measures and improvements could be made to the greatest effect.

The certificate is based on a scale of 1 to 100 in bands A-G, the most efficient homes have the highest score and lowest fuel bills, also tells you the impact your home has on the environment. better-rated homes have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average properties in the UK are in bands D-E for both ratings scoring round 50.

Why is the Certificate important?

Nearly 40 per cent of the UK's energy consumption arises from the way in which our 25 million buildings are lit, heated and used. Even comparatively minor changes in energy performance and the way we use each building will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption and therefore carbon emissions.

Communities and Local Government is leading the introduction of a number of energy and cost-saving measures to make all buildings more efficient. These measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings.

The Energy Performance Certificate is part of these new measures to improve property efficiency. It will include suggestions to enable homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of the building. This can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers, and could make homes more attractive to potential purchasers.

The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust who can help you find out whether you could be eligible for grants or discounts to help carry out these improvements to your home. It will also list simple ways that changes in behavior can save you energy and money - without the need for any works.

EPC's will also be needed from October 2008 when homes are sold without requiring a Home Information Pack (for example, a non-marketed private sale between individuals, a portfolio sale of homes, or a Right to Buy sale to a social housing tenant). From 1 October 2008, Energy Performance Certificates will also be required when homes are rented out. See section on Landlords for further information.

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The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)