The EPC Certificate is produced following an assessment by a qualified Home Inspector or Domestic Energy Assessor DEA, who is registered with a government approved scheme.
Download this Guide to the EPC - information about the Energy Performance Certificate EPC.
Click here to see an example of the EPC,
About the Domestic Energy Assessor, DEA.
• All DEAs are registered with a Government Accreditation scheme.
• DEAs will have inspections that they carry out monitored on a regular basis.
• Assessors will have had a criminal record bureau check.
• They will abide by a code of conduct and will have a complaints policy.
• DEAs are listed on a public registry.
• Necessary insurance will be in place to carry out EPCs.
• A DEA can have their membership cancelled if it is felt that they fail to provide full and proper inspections.
• It is also a requirement that they keep up to date with changes in relation to the Energy Performance Certificate.
The EPC will also be a requirement for rental properties from October 1 2008. This is important for landlords who will need the EPC. More about this on the Landlord EPC page.
The EPC has been introduced as a result of a European environmental policy initiative to formulate further policies to reduce carbon emissions from buildings and slow down global warming.
The building's energy efficiency is presented as two rating charts, similar to the A to G ratings given to domestic appliances, one chart for energy efficiency and one for carbon emissions. The closer to A rating, the 'greener' and more economical the home.
The EPC is a computer-aided assessment of a building's energy efficiency, generated using a version of the Standard Assessment Procedures (SAP) which allow direct comparison between houses in terms of likely utilities bills and running costs.
The Energy Performance Certificate is a method of rating your homes efficiency. As you will have experienced, with ever rising fuel costs, this needs to be contained on all levels. In the current green climate the EPC also informs the owner of how their use of energy affects the environment. Nearly 40 per cent of the UK’s energy consumption is a result of the way 25 million buildings are used.
The EPC will include suggestions to enable homeowners or landlords to improve property efficiency. This advice can enable you a way to save costs and reduce carbon emissions. These recommendations will illustrate what measures and improvements that can be used to the greatest effect. This can also mean lower energy bills for occupiers, and could enable the home to be more attractive to potential buyers or tenants who may decide the property is more cost effective in relation to cost of running a home.
The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust who can help you find out if you are eligible for grants or discounts to help you carry out improvements. It will also list simple ways that can save you money and energy - without the need for any work to be done. The completed certificate is added to a central database and will have a unique reference number; access can only be given to holders of this number.
Points to note about the EPC Energy assessment.
• When the assessor arrives at the property identification will be proved.
• It should take no longer than an hour for the inspection, but some properties may be more complex and take longer, in most cases this can be discussed before the DEA arrives.
• Pets and other animals should be secure to allow a safe inspection
• If the property is empty suitable arrangements can be made for access. The assessor cannot carry out the inspection if the only person present is under the age of 16.
• No personal effects or furniture will be moved.
• Any sealed hatches will not be opened, but it would be helpful if this can be opened before the inspection.
• Make sure boilers, hot water cylinders and other heating systems can be inspected.
• Any improvements needs to be seen, or if any paperwork can be provided in relation to this such as cavity wall insulation.
• Documents and manuals will also help the assessor that relate to heating systems used, this includes double glazing and any other related home improvements.
• If at the time of survey the assessor thinks that they are unsafe due to health and safety risks they will abort the inspection.
Download the Pre-inspection-Form You can give this to the DEA at the time of the inspection.
EPCs direct in Manchester for Home Sellers or for landlords.