An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides a rating for the energy efficiency of a building. The ratings are set against standard criteria to enable one building to be compared with another of a similar type. EPCs are similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. They give information on the energy performance as well as the environmental impact through carbon emissions. This information is rated on a scale of A to G, where A is the best and should have the lowest fuel bill. The average UK property is in bands D to E.
Each certificate also has a recommendation report, providing information about ways to improve the energy efficiency of the property. The rating that could be achieved if all the recommendation’s were to be implemented is also given. New homes will have a reduced recommendation report which will contain more advanced energy savings improvements such as solar panels. This is because it is expected that improvements to the thermal elements (walls, floor and roof) will be incorporated in the design.
By law, EPCs can only be produced by an Accredited Energy Assessor. EPCs must be registered and stored in a national register with a unique reference number. This can only be done by an On Construction Energy Assessor in conjunction with the relevant accreditation scheme.
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