When do you need an EPC
A current Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) is needed whenever a property is, BUILT, SOLD or RENTED
The Certificate will last for ten years
Buildings that don’t need an EPC
These include:
- places of worship
- temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years
- stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres
- industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy
- some buildings that are due to be demolished
- holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy
- listed buildings
- residential buildings intended to be used for less than 4 months of the year
What will it tell me
An EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. Energy Performance Certificates rate a home’s energy efficiency and environmental impact using a scale from A-G, with ‘A’ rated homes being the most efficient. It also provides suggestions on how to improve the rating which, in turn, will reduce the effects on the environment by cutting carbon emissions and save homeowners money on their fuel bills.
In 2012 EPCs were updated and simplified to support the Green Deal, making up part of its assessment. The Green Deal was introduced to help homeowners make energy-saving improvements to their property
The average UK property falls into the D or E band.