Energy performance certificates (EPCs), same as solar thermal energy were introduced along with the Home Information Packs (HIPs) in 2020 as a way to provide a rating determining how energy-efficient a particular property is. HIPs proved controversial, and they were scrapped in 2010. However, EPCs remain a legal requirement in most cases of selling or renting out a property. You will need to have the certificate at hand before you start advertising your home for rent or sale, and potential tenants or buyers will also want to be able to see this. People can use this information to get a better idea of the running costs of the property in question. Data Provided by EPCs EPCs are designed to provide an overall assessment and rating of how energy-efficient a property is. A rating out of one-hundred is provided, and this number will fall into one of seven bands labeled A to G. A-rated properties are the most energy-efficient, while G-rated ones are the worst. Most new builds and recently renovated buildings have higher ratings than older properties. Listed buildings tend to be the least energy-efficient. A potential rating is also provided. This rating takes into account any possible improvements which may be made to the property. This is the property’s maximum potential energy efficiency rating.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an EPC?

One of the things which made HIPs controversial was that homeowners had to pay out a considerable amount of money for all of the necessary documents and certificates. However, since this has been scrapped, it is now only needed to pay for the EPC assessment and certification itself. You can either get the EPC organized through an estate agent or approach an accredited EPC provider directly. The latter is usually the cheaper option. In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, EPC costs typically range from £60 to £100. Prices in Scotland are still much higher due to additional requirements, sometimes reaching £600. EPCs and the Feed-in Tariff The feed-in tariff is the main government-backed incentive to encourage homeowners to invest in clean and renewable energy systems, thus reducing their impacts on the environment and their reliance on the energy companies. All of the Big Six energy companies and most of the smaller independent energy providers are members of this scheme. To receive the greatest benefits from the scheme, your property will need to have an energy efficiency rating in band D, C, B or A. If it is lower than this, you will not receive the full amount, and you may want to consider making some modifications to your home to improve its rating.

EPCs and the Green Deal

The Green Deal is a new scheme introduced by the British government in February, 2013. It has also had a considerable impact on EPCs. The Green Deal is the government’s flagship policy regarding energy efficiency in the home, and it exists to provide loans to those planning to make changes to their homes to improve the scores on their EPCs. The most attractive feature of the Green Deal is that its prime directive ensures you that the loan repayments will always be lower than the savings you make by upgrading your home to make it more economical. To take advantage, you will need to have the work done by a Green Deal-accredited company.

More on the Green Deal here

Who Needs an EPC? Not everyone needs an EPC, although most homeowners do if they are selling or renting out their properties. Exceptions to the rule include any places of worship, temporary housing, residences which are used for less than four months of the year, outbuildings and workshops, and in some cases, listed buildings. If you are not sure whether or not you need one, you should contact your local council. If you legally require an EPC, but you do not have one, you may be fined up to £200. To get an EPC, you will need to approach an accredited assessor in your area of the country before you put your home on the market. The assessor will pay a visit to your property to complete a survey. They will then formulate an energy efficiency rating and provide your EPC.