Energy Performance Certificates

For Residential Property (Domestic)

A Residential Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is now required by law when selling or letting a residential property. An EPC is similar to the certificates produced with many domestic appliances such as washing machines and refrigerators. It provides a rating for energy efficiency and the environmental impact of the property.

Energy Efficiency Rating

EPCs provide information about how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A-G, with band A being the most efficient. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower fuel bills will be.

Environmental Impact Rating

The EPCs also provide information about the impact a property has on the environment in relation to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. Again this is on a scale of A-G with homes in band A having less CO2 emissions than band G. The higher the rating the less impact the property has on the environment.

Energy Efficiency Rating Graph

The certificate also indicates improvements that could be made to the individual property in order to save you money and lessen the impact on the environment

The potential rating will take into account the recommended improvements and show the rating achievable for the property, if the improvements were installed.

Each rating is based on the performance of the property itself including its services (heating and lighting). The rating is not affected by living habits of the occupying household (household size, electrical appliances and individual heating patterns).

The average energy rating for a dwelling in England and Wales has a SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) rating 46/100 placing the average property in Band E.

For Commercial Property (Non Domestic)

A Commercial EPC is a certificate now required by law whenever a non-residential building is put on the market for sale or rent or significantly altered. The EPC is valid for 10 years. Properties including small lock up shop units, offices, industrial units and large scale commercial premises are affected by this legislation.

There are very few buildings that are exempt from this requirement. These are:-

Buildings less than 50m² of floor space
Places of Worship
Temporary buildings with a planned use period of less than 2 years
Unheated industrial buildings

A Commercial EPC provides an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance potential of that building. In addition to construction and insulation, services such as lighting, heating and ventilation, and the control of these services, is used to produce an 'A-G' rating for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average now being 'D'

The Commercial EPC is produced together with an Advisory Report which will suggest measures to improve the energy performance of the building.

The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. Energy Performance Certificates have been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

'Hazel has carried out surveys, residential EPC's and Commercial EPC's for several clients. At all times Hazel is honest, polite, quick, efficient, reasonable and, above all, caring and considerate towards clients. Hazel goes the extra mile with clients and I would have no hesitation in recommending her to any client, from first time buyers who need extra 'hand holding' to developers.'
Kate Woodford - Everys Solicitors