Energy Performance Certificates Explained

Energy Performance Certificates have been devised to provide energy ratings for homes and businesses similar to the energy ratings provided on domestic appliances such as fridges and washing machines. They detail the cost of energy use in the home form heating and hot water to lighting and ventilation, and make energy savings recommendations.
When are Energy Performance Certificates required?
In Scotland, Energy Performance Certificates became a legal requirement on the following dates: • New-build properties - 1 May 2007 • Properties put up for sale - 1 December 2008 • Rental properties - 4 January 2009
Who needs to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate?
Energy Performance Certificates must be made available whenever a property is constructed, rented or sold. The directive stipulates that properties put up for sale must have a certificate which is no more than 12 weeks old at the time the property is placed on the market.
Landlords
All landlords must provide prospective tenants with a certificate which is no more than 10 years old at the point the property is marketed. The certificate must be displayed in the property in a suitable location such as in a meter cupboard.
Why are Energy Performance Certificates required?
EPC's are required as a direct result of the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings which came into force on January 4th 2003. One of the requirements of the Directive was the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates or (EPC) that must be made available whenever a property is constructed, rented or sold.
The end result is that each property is given an energy rating.
What information does the certificate contain?
The certificate provides a rating for the property, identifying its energy efficiency or lack thereof and its environmental impact on a scale from A to G in graphical format (where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient). Most properties in the UK currently fall into bands D or E for both ratings.
The certificate recommends ways to improve the property's energy performance, helping save energy, reduce costs and cut carbon dioxide emissions. The cost of recommended measures can vary depending on actions required, however the certificate distinguishes between those that cost under £500, such as installing energy saving light-bulbs and loft insulation, and those more costly improvements, such as double glazing, new heating or air conditioning systems.
It also separately identifies further measures to help achieve the highest possible rating for the property, but which could be more expensive, taking in excess of seven years to recoup cost in energy savings.
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