Liam Gretton

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

What-is-an-Energy-Performance-Certificate

If you’re planning on selling your Wirral home then you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property.

EPC reports were introduced by the UK government in 2007 to encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient. This is because in the United Kingdom, around 22% of carbon emissions come from our homes, from everyday things like heating, lighting, and running household appliances.

A home that scores high on energy efficiency leads to cheaper bills. So it’s good practice to check and review a property’s Energy Performance Certificate when you’re searching for a new place to call home. If you can’t find the EPC under the property description details, ask the estate agent to provide you with a copy or visit the EPC Register by visiting Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Here’s everything you need to know about EPCs:

 

What Is An EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate is a report drawn up by an accredited domestic energy assessor. They’ll visit your home to check how much energy it takes to power the property and keep it warm.

 

What Does An EPC Check Involve?

An energy assessor will identify potential sources of draughts, or where heat can escape. This includes requirements like checking how well insulated your walls and floors are, if your windows are double glazed or not, and how much heat is retained in your home. Electrical systems and use of energy efficient light bulbs will also be checked.

When your report is complete your home’s energy rating looks like the sticker you might find on a fridge or a washing machine, and ranges from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Your home’s energy efficiency will also be given a score out of 100. The higher the number, the lower your energy bills are likely to be.

An EPC also provides you with recommendations about how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, and the potential grade your property could reach if you choose to make improvements.

 

How Long Does An EPC Last?

An Energy Performance Certificate is valid for 10 years and will cover the property during that period, no matter how many times it’s sold or rented out however, if you’ve made some improvements since moving into a new home, such as installing energy efficient lighting, this won’t be reflected in your EPC and we would make the recommendation to order a new assessment for your sale.

 

How Can I Find Out The Rating For My Property?

If you’re not sure what your home’s current energy rating is, then don’t worry, it’s easy to find. The government has set up an online register of Energy Performance Certificates so if it has been assessed, you can look up the rating by searching the property address.

 

How Do I Get An EPC?

You can find a qualified assessor through the government’s website, however we have built a relationship with trusted, qualified assessors who also local to the Wirral. If an EPC is required we can organise this on your behalf.

 

How Much Do They Cost?

Costs vary depending on where you live, and the size of your home. The fee charged will depend on how long it takes your home to be assessed, so bigger properties will incur higher fees.

EPC costs for new-build residential homes tend to be higher as they require more detailed assessments.

 

Who Pays For An EPC?

If you’re selling your Wirral home, it’s your responsibility to obtain and pay for an Energy Performance Certificate, you’ll then need to provide it to your estate agent, however we are able to search for the information once an EPC has been completed and issued. If you are buying an investment property then as a Landlord you’ll also need to provide the EPC to potential tenants,

 

Is An EPC A Legal Requirement?

YES!

It is… If you plan to sell your home, rent it out to new tenants, or build a new property, you’ll need a valid Energy Performance Certificate. If your home doesn’t have an EPC, you’ll need show your estate agent that you’ve commissioned one before your home is marketed.

Listed buildings are exempt if they reach certain standards for energy performance.

 

Can I Improve My Home’s Energy Rating?

Of course you can. You’ll see lots of different options for improving your home’s EPC rating. These step-by-step recommendations are given in order in order to help you to potentially save the most energy.

For example, it’s more energy efficient to insulate your home before you buy a new boiler, as you won’t have to use your boiler as much. Having double or triple-glazed windows will help to insulate your home.

Adding solar panels is another way to upgrade your EPC, because you’re generating your own power.

 

How Much Can Energy-Efficiency Improvements Cost?

We feel that this is a ‘How long is a piece of string’ question. Ultimately it depends on the size of your home. The average cost of energy-efficiency improvements is about £8,100 per property, according to a recent study by Nationwide. For homes rated F or G, that figure increases to nearly £26,000.

 

Remember…

If you’re thinking about moving home it is a legal requirement to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate obtained and registered by a qualified assessor.

If an EPC is required for the sale of your home we can organise this on your behalf. 

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