ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES

An  Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a document which rates your home’s energy efficiency on a scale from A-G and suggests ways in which to improve that rating.

EPCs have been necessary for certain properties from 1 August 2007 and will be required for all properties, whether for rental or sale, later in 2008.

(EXAMPLE)
Energy Performance Certificate
  Dwelling Type: Detatched House
Date of assessment : 10th Oct 2007
Date of Certificate: 26th October 2007
Reference Number: 126244
Total Floor Area: 102 M sq
This Home's performance is rated in terms of the energy use per square metre of floor area, energy efficiency based on fuel costs and environmental impact based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
   
The energy efficiency rating is a measure of measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be The environmental impact rating is a measure of a home's impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The higher the rating, the less the impact it has on the environment
Estimated energy use, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and fuel costs of this home
  Current Potential
  Energy Use 300 kWh/m2 per year 184 kWh/m2 per year
  Carbon Dioxide emissions 5.1 tonnes per year 3.1 tonnes per year
  Lighting £80 per year £42 per year
  Heating £545 per year £340
  Hot Water £91 per year £80 per year
     
Based on standardised assumptions about occupancy, heating patterns and geographical location, the above table provides an indication of how much it will cost to provide lighting, heating and hot water to the home. The fuel costs only take into account the cost of fuel and not any associated service, maintainence or safety inspection. This certificate has been provided for comparitive purposes only and enables one home to be compared to another.
Recommendations
The Measures below are cost effective. The performance ratings after improvement listed below are cumulative, that is they assume the improvements have been installed in the order that they appear in the table.
Lower Cost Measures
(up to £500)
Typical savings
Per Year
Performance ratings after improvements
Energy efficiency
Environmental impact
1 increase loft insulation to 250mm
£64
D 63
D 58
2 Cavity Wall Insulation
£111
D70
D 67
3 Low energy lighting for all fixed outlets
£30
C72
D 68
sub-total
£205
    
Higher Cost Measures
4 Replace Boiler with Band A condensing boiler
£48
C75
C71
Total
£253
    
Potential energy efficiency rating                                                              C75
Potential environmental impact (CO2) rating                                                                                                             C71
Further measures to achieve even higher standards
The further measures listed below should be considered in adition to those already specified if aiming for the highest possible standards for this home
Higher cost measures
5 solar photovoltiacs panels, 25% of roof area
£46
C77
C75
Enhanced energy efficiency rating                                                               C77
Enhanced environmental impact (C02) rating                                                                                                             C71

Improvements to the energy efficiency and environmental impact ratings will usually be in step with each other. However, they can sometimes diverge because reduced energy costs are not alwats accompanied by a reduction in carbon dioxide (C02) emissions.