What is an EPC?

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are valid for 10 years and they give information on how to make your home, or prospective home, more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

EPCs contain:

information on the property’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions

The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of the property using a grade method of ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating being the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient.

All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties

EPCs also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions

EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that the property could achieve should all the recommendations be implemented.

Do I need an EPC?

If you are a landlord or homeowner you need to provide an EPC free of charge to prospective buyers or tenants when you come to sell or rent the property.

An EPC is required for all buildings being constructed, rented or sold.

A building will need an EPC if it has a roof and walls and uses energy to ‘condition an indoor climate’. This means if it has heating or air conditioning or mechanical ventilation. For example, a garden shed would not need an EPC if it doesn’t have any heating.