EPCs
ABOUT ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES (EPC)
The Little HIP Company employs its own qualified and accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) who will generally be used for your assessment.
EPC’s can be provided as part of the HIP or for those requiring an EPC only this can be provided at a set fee of £75 incl VAT.
Why is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) required?
Following the EU Buildings Directive which aims to make member states implement regulations to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions the UK Government has committed to reduce CO2 emissions in the UK by 60% by 2050.
Through the use of heating, lighting and power UK homes currently account for 27% of UK CO2 emissions. In 2004 a Housing Act was passed to introduce mandatory measures to assist the government in meeting its reduction target. Part of the agreed measures is the requirement for marketed residential properties in England and Wales to be subject to an energy performance assessment with a resulting Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
What happens during an Energy Performance Inspection?
The size, construction, insulation, lighting, heating and hot water systems of the property are assessed to ascertain an energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact rating for the property.
The inspection will be carried out by a DEA at a mutually convenient time, the inspection takes approximately 1 hour and requires access to most parts of the property.
(Please note all DEA’s are subject to CRB checks, a copy of their CRB certificate should be available on request.)
What does the EPC tell you?
Following the assessment the DEA will issue an EPC which will detail the likely running costs of the property, an over all energy efficiency rating, an environmental impact rating and recommendations as to how the property can be made more energy efficient to cut fuel bills and CO2 emissions. Properties are rated A to G with band A representing the most energy efficient properties and band G those that are least energy efficient.
As not all properties are used in the same way or occupied by the same number of people the ratings obtained are calculated by a software programme in accordance with national methodology and is based on standard assumptions about occupancy, heating patterns and geographical location.
The average efficiency rating for dwellings in England and Wales is band E.
Click here to see a sample EPC (878KB)
General advice on cutting emissions/fuel bills and information on grants is available from www.energysavingtrust.org.uk and www.government-grants.org.uk. You can also check your carbon foot print by logging on to actonco2.direct.gov.uk