Domestic Energy Performance Certificates

Much like the multi-coloured sticker on new appliances, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) tell you how energy efficient your house is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). They’ll tell you how costly it will be to heat and light your property, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.

An EPC also includes information on what the energy efficiency rating could be if you made the recommended improvements and highlights cost effective ways to achieve a better rating. Even if you rent your home, you could still implement some improvements noted on the EPC, such as switching to more energy efficient light bulbs.

EPCs are valid for 10 years from the date of issue.

EPCs are required if you are going to rent a property, they are also used as a standardised baseline when applying for some grants and interest free loans from UK and Scottish Government agencies.

Energy Performance Certificates for Business Premises

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient your building is using grades from A to G (with ‘A’ the most efficient grade).

You must have an EPC if:

• You rent out or sell the premises
• A building under construction is finished
• There are changes to the number of parts used for separate occupation and these changes involve providing or extending fixed heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems

Do you need to display it?

You must display an EPC by fixing it to your commercial building if all of these apply:

1. The total useful floor area is over 500 square metres
2. The building is frequently visited by the public
3. An EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental or construction

We are often asked what the difference is between a New Build EPC and a Standard EPC.

It is crucial to produce the correct certificate in order to secure sign off with Building Control – and it is important to understand that New Build EPC’s are produced in a different way.

What is a New Build EPC?

It refers to a certificate created by an On-Construction Domestic Energy Assessor (OCDEA), using the SAP methodology and software.

Any new dwelling, or dwellings created by conversion or change of use are required to have SAP Calculations carried out.

The assessor will then in turn produce an EPC outlining the energy efficiency of that new build. The assessor will use architects plans and drawings, together with detailed information around construction, heating and ventilation amongst others.