Energy Performance Certificates - What You Need To Know

Just as home information packs have become the bedrock of legal importance when buying and selling homes, so the energy performance certificate also now has become a prerequisite by law.
Since October 2008 the EPC, (energy performance certificate) has been a legal requirement whenever a building is built, rented out or sold. A sliding scale from A to G rates the energy efficiency of the building. A home or building with an A rating is the most energy efficient and obviously the opposite is the case for a building rated G. Until recently British homes have been averaging a rating of D.
Accredited Energy Assessors are now responsible for providing EPC’s along with a report detailing improvements that should be made to make a property more energy efficient.
There are two main types of energy performance certificate, the Domestic or Residential Energy Performance Certificate and the Commercial Energy Performance Certificate. In addition there is also a Display Energy Certificate as detailed below.
Residential Energy Performance Certificate

• Required by law for homes bought, sold or let.
• Certificate is valid for ten years and reusable within that time frame
• Landlords commission EPC
• EPC must be made available for inspection by applicants
• Free copy provided to tenant prior to letting

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate

• Non residential buildings generally need Commercial EPC when built, sold or let
• Similar to domestic certificates
• Buildings of certain criteria also require a DEC ( Display Energy Certificate)

Display Energy Certificate

• Different than both the residential EPC and the Commercial EPC the DEC has to show the actual energy usage of a building
• Display Energy Certificates only required for buildings with total useful floor area of over 1,000m squared that are occupied by public authorities and institutions providing public services to large number of people who are required to visit the building
• Must be displayed and visible to public
• Valid for one year
• Always accompanied by advisory report detailing the list of measures taken to improve the energy rating of the building
• Advisory report valid for seven years

In this new age of energy awareness, most people can see and appreciate how important these energy performance certificates are and the role they will play in the future of all buildings in both the residential and commercial sectors.
So whether buying or selling a property in the near or distant future it is crucial to have all the information needed regarding these certificates to ensure smooth transitions and transactions in what undoubtedly can be life altering decisions.