An Energy Performance Certificate is usually referred to as an EPC, informs you on how energy efficient your property is, giving it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). The certificate provides an estimate of the costs to heat and light your home, as well as its carbon emissions and what they are likely to be.
An EPC will also include information on recommendations that can be made to improve the energy efficiency rating, along with an estimated cost for the works and what the typical savings would be.
To obtain this information on your EPC, a survey of the property needs to be carried out by an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor.
In September 2020 a new format for EPC was introduced by the Government, alongside the new register – ‘Energy Performance of Buildings Central Register’ – this is where all EPCs are kept and operated by The Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). This register keeps all EPC information for England, Wales and Northern Ireland consolidated into one register for all domestic and non-domestic properties. There is a different system and register for Scotland.
Energy Performance Certificates are valid for a period of 10 years from the date of issue, therefore if your property has a current EPC that was assessed before September 2020 then the format may look slightly different to the newest version. The new format of the EPC consists of seven sections which clearly state and lay out the information. Find out what is included in the seven sections below.
Section 1: Energy Performance Rating for the Property
This first section will show a series of coloured tiers on a graph, stating the property’s current and potential energy efficiency rating (A-G). With this you will also be given a score on the property. The higher the number, the more energy efficient your property is and your fuel bills are likely to be cheaper. In England and Wales, the average energy rating and score is D (60).
Section 2: Breakdown of property’s energy performance
A breakdown which provides a detailed description of the different components of the property and shows its energy performance as one of the following; Very Poor, Poor, Average, Good or Very Good.
The following are usually included:
- Total floor area
- Property type
- Walls
- Secondary heating
- Hot water
- Main heating
Other features may also be included if they exist in the particular property.
Section 3: Environmental impact for this property
This section will provide the estimated carbon dioxide production for this property. There will be a comparison which shows the UK average household production – 6 tonnes C0₂ annually – so you can see how well or not your property measures up against the average.
As well as this comparison, it will show you how much you could reduce the C0₂ production if you applied the recommendations.
Section 4: How to improve this property’s energy performance
This section provides information on the energy-saving recommendations for the property, typical installation costs of the measures and typical yearly cost-saving against each one.
It will also indicate the potential rating change, for each measure and if all measures are completed. This will then enable you to consider which measures are more cost-effective and which ones you want to implement as first priority.
Section 5: Estimated energy use and potential savings
This will show the estimated cost and savings on how much the average household would spend for heating, lighting and hot water in this property. This is not based on how energy is used by people living on the property. The estimation of savings is based on all the recommendations on how to improve this property’s energy performance.
A breakdown of the energy used for hot water and heating in the property will also be provided.
Section 6: Containing the assessor and accreditation scheme
This section will state the contact information for the qualified energy assessor who carried out the assessment for the EPC and the accreditation scheme they belong to. Any questions or complaints you may have will need to go to the assessor directly to resolve any issues. If an issue requires an escalation, then the accreditation scheme can be contacted.
Section 7: Other certificates for this property
If there are any other certificates which have previously been provided for the property, they will all be shown and stated here.
If you would like to find out more information on Energy Performance Certificates or how LivGreen can help you make your home energy efficient.
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