Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Wed 02 Dec 2020

Energy Performance Certificates are required by law when a property is built, sold or rented.

 

Estate agents must not put any property on the market for sale without a valid EPC being compiled in accordance with the relevant legislation or evidence that a valid EPC has been commissioned.

 

An EPC contains information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs.  It also provides recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money.

 

It also gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (being the most efficient) to G (being the least efficient) and is valid for 10 years from the date of issue.

 

Properties are also given a score.  The higher this number, the lower the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions are likely to be.  The average energy score for a property in England is D (60).

 

Graphs show a property’s current and its’ potential energy efficiency.

 

Useful information contained within the EPC includes the property type i.e. detached house etc. and the total floor area. 

 

It includes information on the construction of a property i.e. whether timber framed or traditional construction with cavity walls etc.  It also tells you about the roof construction and whether there is loft insulation.  Window construction and floor types are included as well as the main heating and hot water systems.

 

Some building don’t need an EPC such as Listed Buildings and residential buildings intended to be used for less than 4 months per year.

 

You can look at properties EPCs free of charge here

www.find-energy-certificate.digital.communities.gov.uk

 

We can supply an EPC for you for £72 including VAT @ 20%

 

In Carol’s words “They’re like the ones you get on a new washing machine or fridge/freezer”.  It depends upon what interests you the most “How much it costs to run or whether you can fit your favourite pizza flat in the fridge!”