What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an energy report that measures how efficiently a home is utilising heat and light sources and how well it retains the heat generated.

This will be assessed during an on site energy survey by our Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), who will use specialist software to rate your property’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions from A to G on a graph – like those used to rate fridges.

The certificate is valid for 10 years in the rental market and can be included in a HIP if it is less than 3 years old – so if you decide to sell or rent within those time periods you will not need to renew the EPC unless you want to.

There may be many circumstances where an EPC is needed, such as:

• For a rental property
• Your property is for sale but is exempt from the HIP regulations (but still is required to have an EPC in place).
• You want to choose who carries out the EPC for your HIP yourself
• You are not moving but want to apply for a grant or save on fuel bills
• You are a tenant and wish to apply for a grant for improvements

Specialists in Domestic Energy Assessments

The EPC can only be prepared by a qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) or a Home Inspector (HI) who is registered with a Government approved Accreditation Scheme. Our assessor is based in Malvern and employed directly by us. He will contact you directly to arrange a convenient daytime appointment to visit your home and carry out the assessment. The appointment can take up to an hour depending on the property.

What Happens During an Energy Survey?

The DEA will take measurements of the property and will need to look at various elements that affect its energy efficiency, although the survey does not involve any invasive techniques, such as lifting carpets, unscrewing covers or drilling into the wall cavities.

The DEA will require access to the roof space, in order to assess the extent of insulation, and will need access to the boiler, heating controls and hot water cylinder, where fitted.

In addition, he will examine all other areas that are relevant, such as the extent and age of any double glazing, whether cavity wall insulation has been (or could be) installed and the extent to which open chimneys and low-energy light bulbs are present. If you have any evidence, in the form of certificates, to demonstrate that cavity wall insulation has been installed or replacement windows fitted for example, it is useful to show this to the DEA.

Assistance and Grants

The certificate includes a guide as to the potential fuel costs associated with your property, under the ‘Standard Occupancy’ rules which assumes a set heating time and temperature pattern. This means that fair comparisons can be made between properties of a similar size and construction.

In addition the EPC offers some suggested improvements that can be made and their financial and environmental benefits. Some of the recommendations are simple and relatively cheap to carry out, others are more wide ranging and long term. There are some grants available to undertake some of these improvements, particularly loft and wall insulation work – please click here for more information.

Speedy and Helpful Service

As we are based here in Hereford and Worcester we will be able to provide you with an appointment for the EPC within 48 hours. The EPC will be uploaded onto our online system within 24 hours and you (and your estate agent) will be issued a link and password for it. If you wish a printed copy we can arrange that too. We can also send your agent a special graph summary which they need to display on the particulars of your property. The full report is also held on a central Government register.