What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a legal requirement for all new and existing constructions. This certificate showcases how energy-efficient a rental or sold property is.
The EPC or energy rating document contains detailed information regarding the property’s energy efficiency. It discloses how much energy a property requires to be heated and some improvement recommendations to reduce energy needs.
Continue reading for a more in-depth exploration of the question “What is an energy performance certificate?” We’ll discuss why it is important and share some recommended measures for improvement.
What Does a New Build EPC Assessment Involve?
Before you construct a property, you’ll need to have an On Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA) review your building plans and elevation drawings.
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) or New Build assessment looks into the energy efficiency of the building design before construction. This assessment provides an estimate of the projected energy use once the building is complete. The EPC is provided after construction and provides a more accurate view of the building’s energy efficiency.
Building control reviews the SAP calculations and EPCs and signs off on the completion certificate if the property has been found to meet the necessary requirements. There is a minimal threshold your dwelling is expected to meet in order for it to be signed off. The thresholds are established by the regional building regulations.
Why Do I Need an EPC?
An EPC is a crucial document that informs potential tenants or buyers on how energy-efficient the property is.
According to the 2018 regulations, which state the minimum energy-efficiency standard, it’s illegal for landlords to rent out space if it has an energy efficiency rating below E. Choosing to forgo the EPC assessments and receiving an EPC can result in penalty costs. The potential cost for penalties is applied per property in violation and starts from £1,000 and can go as high as £5,000.
Landlords need to make efforts to improve the energy efficiency rating to E and above, ideally, before it can go on the market.
This certificate is not only an important indicator of whether your property is energy efficient. It helps you identify ways to further improve your property’s energy performance, which will save you or future tenants money in the long run. With the implementation of conscious changes like windows with double glazing or energy-efficient light bulbs, there’s potential for a decrease in the amount of energy consumed, leading to less money spent on paying energy bills.
The Importance of EPC: Crucial Benefits
Having your buildings inspected or assessed may seem like a tedious task but it is the first step to reducing your carbon footprint and contributing toward a greener planet. Your EPC report is great to identify ways to save money in the long run and also help contribute to the UK’s construction industry goal. The goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 through greener buildings.
Landlords can expect the following benefits:
- Showcases properties as a cost-effective choice, as potential tenants won’t have to face high energy bills.
- By accepting the recommendations and implementing the suggested improvements, you’re increasing the value of your property.
- Buyers or renters are increasingly attracted to sustainable, eco-friendly homes, which could lead to increased selling prices.
What to Expect During a Domestic Energy Assessment
During the assessment, a domestic energy assessor will visit the property to collect some relevant information. They’ll check how the property retains heat and if there are any draughts and places where heat can escape (called thermal bridges).
They’ll also check the insulation of the floor and walls and the energy efficiency of the light bulbs used as well as the type of windows you have. Single-glazed windows, for example, are less efficient at maintaining heat than double-glazed.
The assessor will inspect the entire property and take measurements and photographs to support their data collection. Depending on the size of the property, an inspection could take around 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Once the assessment has been completed, all home energy performance certificates and EPC ratings are provided either directly or online.
What Data is Shown on an Energy Report?
Your energy performance certificate or EPC will display various findings on how energy efficient the property is. Here is how to comprehensively understand all the details provided.
The Energy Efficiency Rating Scale
The EPC rating ranges from A to G. A is the highest potential rating you could achieve. This means the property is very efficient at heating or cooling. G is the lowest rating on the scale and indicates that the property is inefficient when it comes to energy preservation.
The rating normally depends on various features, such as the fuel your property uses for heating, how you heat your hot water, the ventilation systems, and the type of lighting. A property’s thermal performance, or how well it retains heat, is also a crucial factor to consider because the better your home retains heat, the fewer heating solutions you’ll require.
Your property’s energy efficiency rating is calculated in percentages and ranges from 1% to 100%. You’ll see a table similar to the one below with indicators showing your results.
| The EPC Rating | Your Score in % |
| A | 92+ |
| B | 81 – 91 |
| C | 69 – 80 |
| D | 55 – 68 |
| E | 39 – 54 |
| F | 21 – 38 |
| G | 1 – 20 |
The illustration will show your current rating and the potential rating you could achieve once you implement the recommended measures. Additionally, some EPCs will even showcase a similar table with information on the environmental impact of the property. The environmental impact is also calculated on an A-G scale.
Your Property’s Energy Performance (Current & Predicted)
The document will provide a breakdown of each building feature and the related energy efficiency. These details also consider the energy efficiency cost rating and the associated carbon dioxide emissions. It looks at elements like hot water, heating, lighting, the thermal transmittance of the floor insulation, and more.
Recommendations for Improvements
The EPC typically provides a step-by-step list of recommended measures to improve your rating and ensure the property is as energy-efficient as it can possibly be. There may be suggestions that prompt you to install better insulation throughout the property to reduce heater use, thus, in turn, reducing your energy bills. Alternatively, you could focus on replacing single-glazed windows with double-glazed windows or having an insulated suspended floor.
Some suggestions may focus on adding solar panels to generate your own power. They may also provide the indicative costs potentially involved with each recommendation.
Potential Savings After Improvements
In this section of the report, you’ll find information on the estimated energy costs of an average household. The estimated yearly energy cost provided is not based on how energy is used by people currently living on the property.
With the potential savings aspect, you’ll gain insight into the amount you can be saving once you apply the recommendations. This number is only an accurate estimate if you apply the recommended steps in order as they appear on the document. So always start with the first recommended step and move down the list. It might be tempting to apply the cheapest fix first, but that will take away from overall energy savings.
This comprehensive home report details various important aspects you must understand and consider to create sustainable properties. By identifying areas for improvement, you’re one step closer to saving on costs and electricity.
AutoPSI: Improve Energy Efficiency at the Design Phase
Obtaining a good EPC rating depends on how efficiently your property operates in terms of heating and other important energy usage aspects. The best way to ensure you have a property with an impressive energy efficiency rating is to construct a well-insulated building.
Developing well-constructed dwellings with a minimal performance gap is best achieved through the use of accurate PSI values. That’s where AutoPSI comes in. With our speedy and user-friendly online PSI value calculation software, you can gain an accurate insight into the projected thermal performance of your designed dwelling.
This data will help you make any amendments to improve a building’s thermal performance and achieve an appealing EPC rating.
Now that you know the answer to the question “What is an energy performance certificate?” find out how AutoPSI’s thermal modelling software can help you design energy-efficient buildings. Sign up for a free seven-day demo today.
Energy Performance Certificates – FAQs
Now, let’s answer any unanswered questions you may have regarding EPCs.
Where Do I Get an Energy Performance Certificate?
EPCs are valid for ten years after issue and therefore need to be obtained decennially. To avoid the cost of penalties, you should book your EPC assessment as soon as possible. You can do so by looking into various companies that provide accredited domestic energy assessor services. Gather some quotes and compare the indicated costs. Once you’ve found one suited to your needs, request an assessment from an accredited domestic energy assessor.
Who Does Not Need an EPC?
Some properties are exempt from obtaining an EPC:
- Temporary buildings used for less than 2 years
- Listed properties with special protections
- Properties about to be demolished
- Residential dwellings used for less than 4 months per year
- A place of worship or space used for religious activities
Where Can I Check my Current Energy Efficiency Rating?
Finding the current rating for properties is super easy. The UK government has set up an online directory of sorts that hosts a vast amount of information ensuring you can find the information of an assessed property.
For an EPC certificate in the UK, use the find energy certificate link provided. Whereas, if your property is in Scotland, you can have a look at this EPC register.
How Long Does an Energy Performance Certificate Last?
Once you receive your EPC from an accredited energy assessor, a valid EPC will last for 10 years. You’ll only need to request a new EPC after 10 years from the date of issuance. However, you can request another assessment if you’ve implemented major energy-saving measures to the property in hopes of improving your current EPC rating.
Still have a few questions about EPCs? Feel free to reach out to our team for more detailed information.
