Your Guide to Understanding Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Energy Performance Certificates, or EPCs, are essential for homeowners, potential buyers, and anyone involved in renting or selling property. They offer a snapshot of a property’s energy efficiency, impacting everything from market value to environmental footprint. This guide will walk you through the essentials of EPCs—what they are, how they’re calculated, and why they matter. Let’s get into it.

Key Takeaways

• What is an EPC?
• Understanding EPC Ratings
• Factors Affecting EPC Ratings
• How Much Do EPCs Cost?
• Who’s Responsible for Getting an EPC Check?
• What Does an Energy Performance Certificate Show?
• Need Help Boosting Your EPC Rating?

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal document that rates a property’s energy efficiency. By law, every residential and rental property in the UK must have an EPC when it’s built, sold, or rented. The EPC provides a wealth of information, including how energy efficient your property is, the typical energy costs you might incur, and how you can improve your energy usage.

EPC ratings are calculated based on factors such as heat loss, the efficiency of heating systems, and the q. An accredited energy assessor will evaluate the property to determine its performance and suggest potential energy efficiency improvements.

Understanding EPC Ratings

Understanding an EPC rating is important for potential buyers or homeowners. EPCs use a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient and G being the least. Properties with higher ratings have lower energy costs and a lesser environmental impact, which can significantly enhance their market appeal.

A-rated homes are top-of-the-line in energy efficiency, meaning they have the lowest energy bills and carbon emissions. On the other hand, homes rated D or below might be cheaper upfront but often come with higher running costs and potential extra investment to improve their efficiency.

Here’s how the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are rated using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) points:

• EPC A rating: 92-100 SAP points (Green) – Highest efficiency
• EPC B rating: 81-91 SAP points (Green)
• EPC C rating: 69-80 SAP points (Green)
• EPC D rating: 55-68 SAP points (Yellow)
• EPC E rating: 39-54 SAP points (Amber)
• EPC F rating: 21-38 SAP points (Orange)
• EPC G rating: 1-20 SAP points (Red) – Lowest efficiency

An assessor will evaluate various aspects of the property and then use the Government’s SAP procedure to calculate a score. This score determines where the property falls on the A to G scale, influencing both its market appeal and energy costs.

Factors Affecting EPC Ratings

Several factors influence a property’s EPC rating:

• Loft and roof insulation: These play a big role in preventing heat loss. Proper insulation can significantly boost a property’s rating by reducing the amount of energy needed to heat it.
• Hot water systems: Efficient systems are vital for better ratings because they use energy more effectively, lowering overall energy costs.
• Carbon dioxide emissions: The lower the emissions from a home, the better the EPC rating.

This is calculated based on the amount of carbon dioxide produced per square metre of the property.

How Much Do EPCs Cost?

The cost of an EPC can vary but typically ranges between £60 and £120. This fee depends on the size and location of the property, with larger homes and those in major cities potentially costing more.

Who’s Responsible for Getting an EPC Check?

It’s the seller’s or landlord’s responsibility to ensure that an EPC is available to potential buyers or tenants. Estate agents and rental management services often handle this as part of their services, but ultimately, it falls on the owner to provide a valid EPC.

What Does an Energy Performance Certificate Show?

Current and Potential Energy Costs

An EPC estimates how much it might cost to power and heat your home, covering areas like lighting, heating, and hot water. It gives an insight into potential energy bills and how they could decrease with certain improvements.

Energy Efficiency Rating

This section breaks down your home’s current energy efficiency rating and what it could be if you make the suggested upgrades. It’s an excellent tool for understanding and planning energy efficiency improvements.

Property Performance

The EPC assesses various elements, such as glazed windows, cavity wall insulation, and double glazing. Each feature is rated on how well it contributes to the property’s energy efficiency.

Recommendations to Improve Efficiency

Finally, an EPC provides personalised recommendations to enhance a property’s energy performance. These might include installing additional loft insulation, upgrading to double-glazed windows, or optimising your hot water system. It also estimates the typical savings these improvements might yield, helping to map out a cost-effective approach to upgrading your home.

Let Us Help You Boost Your EPC Rating

Is your home’s energy rating below what you want it to be? Don’t worry—we’re here to help!

Upgrading your home’s energy efficiency—from installing a new boiler to updating your central heating—can seem like a big task, but that’s where we come in. Our team is ready to help you make these important changes and can even show you how to apply for energy grant funding to manage the costs.

Upgrading saves on energy bills and boosts your home’s value. Let’s chat about how we can transform your home together. Reach out today, and let’s make your home cosy, efficient, and ready for the future.