Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) indicates how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most energy efficient homes (which will have the lowest fuel bills) are in band A.

The EPC also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and global warming.

The average property in the UK is in bands D to E. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment. It shows how you can obtain a higher rating.

Part of the EPC is a recommendation report which will list the potential rating that the property could achieve, if changes were made. The report lists improvements that could be carried out and how this would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property.

This information can be used to:-

• Facilitate bank lending
• Cut fuel bills
• Improve energy performance in the property
• Help cut carbon emissions

How long does an EPC last?

An EPC is issued and made available to the public on a national register and is valid for ten years.

If you improve the energy consumption of your house with say a new boiler and new EPC should be done to reflect the improvement.

The domestic energy assessment

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is based upon an assessment of the property carried out by a licensed Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

The domestic energy assessment involves:-

• Establishing the age and construction method of the property.
• Measuring floor and wall areas of the property.
• Looking at heating systems including the boiler, heat emitters and controls.
• Identifying existing cavity wall and loft insulation.
• Identifying any alternative heating (e.g. solar) and energy-efficient products (e.g. energy saving light bulbs).
• We will collect specific data on the property as outlined by the Government (RdSAP methodology). This data is then used to produce the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

The specific information collected by the domestic energy assessor (DEA) includes:

Heating efficiency

The domestic energy assessor (DEA) will evaluate the boiler or the main heating system:

• The manufacturer of the boiler.
• The model if the boiler has a brand name.
• The type of boiler you have, i.e. whether it is combination boiler, condensing, non-condensing or a back boiler.

We will also look at the heating controls within the system for e.g. the thermostat, timer and radiator valves. This enables us to evaluate the energy efficiency of the combined heating system.

Insulation efficiency

The domestic energy assessor (DEA) will evaluate the types of insulation installed in your property. Existing insulation is measured and compared against current standards:

• Loft insulation - The average depth of loft insulation is measured.
• Cavity wall insulation - The existing cavity wall is examined externally, either visually or by looking inside the cavity to determine whether insulation is present.
• Double glazing - The doors and windows will be checked for double glazing.

The domestic energy assessor (DEA) will all at all times respect your home and answer any questions you may have during the assessment.

Written in conjunction with Landlord-EPC.co.uk