An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document which sets out the energy efficiency of a property on a traffic light system of A to G. A being the most efficient. An EPC provides an indication of how much it will cost to heat and power a property.
An Energy Performance Certificate provides an official energy rating for your property. It will advise how efficiently and cheaply your property creates space and water heating, and how well it retains that heat. The current energy efficiency rating of your property is reflected in a graph based on a scale from A-G (an A Rating is very energy efficient = lower running costs, and a G Rating is not very energy efficient = higher running costs). The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. Also, the environmental impact rating, or, the impact of the building on the environment. This is a measure of a homes impact on the environment in terms of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. The higher the rating the less impact it has on the environment.
An Energy Performance Certificate is produced following an energy assessment undertaken by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or Green Deal Advisor (GDA), accredited to an accreditation scheme, a scheme authorised by the government. The certificate is produced using RdSAP 2005 assessment methodology and has been produced using the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates & Inspections) (England & Wales) Regulations 2007. A copy of the EPC will be lodged on a National Register, where it will publicly available. The assessment is based on standardised assumptions about occupancy, heating patterns and geographical location, you will see on your certificate that there is a table which provides an indication of how much the average household would spend in the property for lighting, heating and hot water. This excludes energy use for running appliances like TV’s, computers and cookers, and any electricity generated by microgeneration. The fuel cost will only take into account the cost of fuel and not any associated services, maintenance or safety inspection.
The assessment will take no longer than 75 minutes, but often less. This is dependent on the size and complexity of the property.
Only to make sure that the assessor has easy access to any insulation in the airing cupboard (if you have one) and easy access to the loft space in order that they can make an assessment of the loft insulation. The assessor will carry a ladder as part of their equipment.
An EPC has a long 'shelf life' and is currently valid for a period of 10 years.