What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are the Government’s chosen way of complying with the Energy Performance of Building Directive (EPBD). Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and CO² emissions of a building. The rating will be from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and CO² emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.
Who is responsible for obtaining an EPC?
The responsibility of obtaining an EPC lies with the ‘relevant person’ who is defined as:-
- The Seller where a property is being sold
- The Landlord where a property is being rented out
- The Builder where a property is being constructed.
