Home Inspector - Paul Dupen

What an Energy Performance Certificate contains

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) provide ratings for all types of buildings, showing their energy efficiency based on factors such as:

• the age and layout of the property
• the activities going on within the different spaces
• the materials used in its construction
• how it is heated, cooled and ventilated
• how lighting is provided

The ratings are presented in a similar way to those found on white goods, such as fridges and washing machines. They are standardised, so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type. 'A' is the most efficient rating and 'G' the least efficient.

EPCs include two asset-rating graphs that show:

• The energy efficiency rating. This is the buildings overall energy usage, which reflects the level of fuel bills to be expected, eg rating 'F' where a building has a poor rating, versus the rating that it could attain (eg 'B') if the improvements listed in the recommendation report were carried out.
• The environmental rating - ie the buildings impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. This also shows how environmentally friendly a building is and its potential for improvement.

They also provide:

• the EPC number and date of issue - the home inspector will obtain this number when they file the EPC in the online register
• details of the home inspector responsible for the EPC, including their name, accreditation number and accreditation scheme.
• information on how to complain or check whether an EPC is genuine

Recommendation reports

The home inspectors recommendation report includes:

• key cost-effective ways to improve the energy performance of the property
• additional recommendations that could further improve energy performance but are not necessarily cost effective
• the level of cost, typical cost savings per year and the performance rating achievable after carrying out the individual recommendations
• the rating the property could achieve if all the cost-effective recommendations were implemented

Other related links:

EPC for Rented Homes

EPC for Existing Homes