As of the 30th June 2008 the European Parliament
has decreed that all properties being sold need to have an
energy assessment carried out to rate the energy efficiency of
your property. The assessment will also make recommendations on
how to improve the property’s energy performance. Assessments
must be carried out by qualified assessors who work
independently from your estate agent. It is now law to have this
work carried out as a solicitor will not exchange contracts
without an EPC certificate.
An Energy Performance Certificate shows the energy
rating of a property. The Certificate provides a rating
for the property, showing its energy efficiency on a A-G
scale (A being the most efficient and G the least
efficient) and will also contain recommendations to
improve the property’s energy performance.
The EPC rating is determined through information collected about the
property by the Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) during the assessment of
the property. Some areas that are looked at include: the heating systems
and controls, loft and wall insulation, window types, the amount of
energy efficient light bulbs, and of course the age and type of
property.
The Assessment takes about half an hour to an hour for residential
properties depending on the size of the property.