DIY

EPC’s

Information about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

If you are buying or selling a home you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by law given current legislation. EPCs are required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least, with the average up to now being ‘D’.

Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient. Wilkie May & Tuckwood will be able to help you arrange an EPC with an accredited energy assessor, just call any of our offices for more information.

Energy Performance Certificates – what they tell you

EPCs carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place.

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.

What an EPC looks like

Information about energy efficiency and carbon emissions is summarised in two charts that show the energy and carbon dioxide emission ratings. The charts look similar to those supplied on electrical appliances, like fridges and washing machines.

EPC Chart

How to get an EPC

Wilkie May & Tuckwood will be able to help you arrange an EPC with an accredited energy assessor, just call any of our offices for more information.

Which buildings needs an EPC

An EPC is required when a building is 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 it has heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation.

Which buildingds don’t need an EPC

The following buildings don’t need an EPC when they are built, rented or sold:

  • places of worship
  • temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years
  • standalone buildings with total useful floor area of less than 50 square metres that aren’t used to provide living accommodation for a single household
  • industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy

* Information correct as 2nd February 2011