Members of the

Institute of Home Inspectors

Members of the

Institute of Domestic Energy Assessors

Energy Performance Certificates for homes

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, where ‘A’ is the best and with the average to date being D/E.

EPC's are measured using the same calculations for all homes, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

Part of the certificate is a recommendation report which lists improvements that you could carry out and how implementing these recommendations will impact the energy and carbon emission rating of the property.

You can use this information to:
• cut your fuel bills
• improve energy performance in your home
• help cut carbon emissions

Since the 1st October 2008 an EPC is required by law when a building is constructed, sold or put up for rent, so you will only need a certificate if you are:

• a homeowner – all sellers of homes need to ensure that they provide a Home Information Pack which includes an EPC for potential buyers
• a builder – an EPC needs to be provided to buyers of newly built properties from 6 April 2008
• a landlord – you will need to provide an EPC which will be valid for ten years, to prospective tenants, the first time you let or re-let your property after 1 October 2008

Even if you do not fall into the above category, you can still apply for and receive an EPC.

• Home Information Pack (opens new window)
• What an Energy Performance Certificate for a home contains (opens new window)

EPCs can only be produced as a result of a survey by an ‘accredited’ Domestic Energy Assessor. They are used to collect standard information on the property including its size, how it is constructed and its hot water and heating systems. The information is then fed into a government approved software programme which produces the EPC.

Further information:-
For more information on the EPC process follow the links below

• Energy assessor accreditation (opens new window)
• Energy assessment process (opens new window)

• Energy and water efficiency in your home (environment and greener living section)