An energy performance certificate (EPC) is something that has been needed since April 2008 whenever a property is built, sold or rented. In Scotland, domestic EPCs must be displayed somewhere in the property, such as in the meter cupboard or next to the boiler, but what does it do? Essentially, an EPC provides statistics about the energy efficiency of a property; it is a record of actual and potential energy savings of a property. They also have recommendations on where improvements can be made.
An EPC is valid for 10 years. In order to rate a building’s energy efficiency performance, the EPC takes account of energy use per square metre of floor area, energy efficiency based on fuel costs and environmental impact based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Using the information from an EPC, you can assess the impact of energy-saving upgrades you make when you have your property reassessed later on.
These estimates will also influence your eligibility for support and payments, including any ‘Feed-in Tariff’ payments.
Most buyers these days will know the financial implications of buying a property with a lower EPC rating and it’s very possible in the future that taxes and benefits will be increasingly tied to a property’s EPC, making the cost of reducing the carbon emissions a factor that should be considered when buying. It is also worth noting that since April 2012, an EPC rating of band D or higher has been needed if you want to have solar panels installed and receive the standard rate from the ‘Feed-in Tariff’.