Domestic Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC. An Energy Performance Certificate contains information on a home’s energy use and carbon dioxide emissions and a recommendation report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy Performance Certificates 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.

The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’. An ‘A’ rating is the most efficient, while ‘G’ is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is ‘D’. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

The EPC also provides a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions. The report lists:

• suggested improvements, like fitting loft insulation
• possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
• how the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property

You don’t have to act on the recommendations in the recommendation report. However, if you decide to do so, it could make your property more attractive for sale or rent by making it more energy efficient.

If you are selling or letting your home you must provide a valid EPC, if you do not, you could be liable for a fine of £200. When conducting your energy efficiency certificate our assessors will take a survey of your property taking into account such factors as:

• Location
• Wall construction and size of the property
• Hot water and heating systems
• Insulation and glazing

This information is processed quickly and used to create your certificate. Whilst conducting the survey we can also offer advice as to the most cost effective ways of improving your energy efficiency. An energy performance certificate is valid for ten years, except for sales of homes. In these cases an EPC must be no more than three years old when the property is first put on the market.

Andrew R Williams & Associates Ltd are a fully accredited energy assessor for domestic Energy Performance Certificates and you can use us with confidence as we have delivered thousands of EPCs to home owners and landlords. Contact us via the quote form or call us on 0151 426 9660.