Call 0207 9239971 / 07506 065991 email snygate@blueyonder.co.uk
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Energy Performance Certificates were introduced in 2008 for the marketing of all properties (whether being sold or let).
An EPC is a document that calculates the Energy Efficiency of a house or flat. These must be available to buyers and tenants at the start of marketing so that potential buyers or tenants can compare how affordable it would be to heat different properties. When choosing a place to live, most people look at the area, type of property, number of bedrooms, whether there is a garden, type of kitchen etc as well as the cost. Few consider how easy it would be to keep the property warm. The EPC was introduced so that people could compare different properties and so make an informed choice about whether they could afford not only the mortgage / rent, but also to keep the property warm and so enjoy living in the property throughout the year.
An EPC is valid for ten years and can be used for subsequent sales or lettings during this period.
In the current economic climate, where many people's incomes are being squeezed, and with high gas and electric prices, the EPC provides recommendations as to how you can reduce the cost of providing the heating and hot water within a property.
When EPCs were first introduced they also provided greater information about the Environmental Impact of a property. As the Government has chosen to use the EPC to tackle fuel poverty, the Certificate provides less information about the environmental impact. However it can still be used to help tackle climate change by providing recommendations that will help reduce the carbon footprint within your property.
If you are letting or selling a property, it is important to note that the EPC provides recommendations to make it cheaper to provide heating and hot water to a property. A property with a good energy rating is more desirable and may be easier to sell or let. A property with a poor energy rating may be harder to let or tenants may move out more frequently should they find it difficult or expensive to heat.
In particular there are now minimum energy efficiency standards for letting a property. All properties must obtain at least an E rating otherwise you cannot let it. This minimum standard may increase to a C rating by 2030. I will provide an accurate assessment and free advise as to how you can improve the rating.
What does it involve?
In order to produce an EPC, you must employ a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor to survey the property. The survey typically takes around 30 minutes for a flat and around an hour for a house (this depends on the size and complexity of the property). The Assessor looks at the following features.
- When was the property originally built.
- how the property has been built including the wall and roof construction.
- the presence of any newer extensions.
- the floor area and room heights
- the position of the property in relation to neighbouring properties (ie how does the property gain and lose heat)
- the presence of wall, floor and roof insulation
- the system used to provide heating and hot water
- the amount and quality of windows
- The amount and type of lighting
- What ventilation systems are present.
- New technologies, such as solar panels or solar water heating.