01-10-07, UpMyStreet ©
With climate change and green issues hitting the headlines, energy performance certificates have become the most significant element of Home Information Packs. Since HIPs were introduced to larger-sized properties in August, the emphasis on raising energy efficiency in homes has increased, particularly following the disappointing energy ratings achieved so far.
Find out more about energy performance certificates and how to achieve a higher grade for your home.
What is an energy performance certificate?
The certificate details how energy efficient your home is on a scale of A-G, as rated by an accredited domestic energy assessor. An A rating is given to the most energy efficient homes with the lowest energy bills. A G rated property is the least efficient and will have higher running costs.
You also receive an environmental impact rating. This gives you an indication of the levels of CO2 your home emits. The certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
How to improve your energy rating
A snapshot survey since the launch of HIPs showed homes are achieving a rating of D-E, but could save £180 on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills a year by installing insulation, double glazing and low energy lighting.
Simple energy saving measures can also help raise your raise your rating and potentially increase the asking price for your property. Follow our energy saving tips, and read how going green can increase the value of your home.
The story so far
The certificates were originally part of home condition reports, but when these were scrapped as a mandatory part of HIPs in 2006, the energy performance certificate became an independent part of HIPs. Since then they've arguably become the most important element of the packs, particularly following the Stern report on climate change.
Why the controversy?
An EU directive requires all buildings to have an energy efficiency rating by January 2009, and many people believe that the government's decision to introduce energy performance certificates within HIPs rather than on their own is political leverage for the unpopular packs.
There's also been criticism that there aren't enough accredited domestic energy assessors ready to start work, leading to the eleventh hour decision to delay the original June 1 launch date of HIPs.
More HIPs news
› HIPs extended to three-bedroom homes
› Home condition reports explained
› How to get to grips with HIPs
› The real cost of buying property
What the energy ratings mean:
- A = 92-100 Very energy efficient and lower energy costs
- B = 81-91
- C = 69-80
- D = 55-68
- E = 39-54
- F = 21-38
- G = 1-20 Not energy efficient and high energy costs
Top five ways to improve your energy rating
1. Cavity wall insulation
2. Changing to low energy lighting, including energy saving light bulbs
3. Putting thermostatic valves on radiators
4. Loft insulation
5. Double glazing
Source: survey of domestic energy assessors
Tea (Redbridge), on 20/07/2008 at 00:05
Please can anybody help?!!! I can't seem to find anywhere where I can find out if it is mandatory for me as a landlord, to have a 'Mandatory Energy Performance Certificate.' By '1 October 2008 all landlords offering property for rent will be required by law to provide prospective tenants with an EPC' says my mortgage company with whom I have a Buy to let. they also kindly offered to 'assist ' me in meeting my 'obligations, with the minimum of inconvenience' via their very own 'EPC service'.
Can anybody please enlighten me as I have no intention of selling my property either and the rental market is good here.
bemused (Redbridge), on 20/07/2008 at 00:00
Please can anybody help?!!! I can't seem to find anywhere where I can find out if it is mandatory for me as a landlord, to have a 'Mandatory Energy Performance Certificate.' By '1 October 2008 all landlords offering property for rent will be required by law to provide prospective tenants with an EPC' says my mortgage company with whom I have a Buy to let. they also kindly offered to 'assist ' me in meeting my 'obligations, with the minimum of inconvenience' via their very own 'EPC service'.
Can anybody please enlighten me as I have no intention of selling my property either and the rental market is good here.
workaholic estate agent (Conwy), on 18/02/2008 at 13:38
As a professional in the business I would point out that these EPC's are indeed a means of making money not just now but for the future as what is more than likely to happen is that councils will not only charge you standard council tax but will in time include an 'add on' for the energy performance rating you are on. In other words this is going to be yet another stealth tax!
Lawrence (Trafford), on 12/02/2008 at 19:21
Biggest load of beurocratic nonsense I've ever heard.
WHO on earth believes this stuff?
Clearly regarded as a vote winner though.
A sad reflection on the voting population I'd say.
Maybe Guy Fawkes had a point.
Home Buyer (Winchester), on 10/02/2008 at 14:36
EPCs are a waste of time and cost and probably consume more energy creating than they are ever likely to save. As someone looking for a house I haven't bothered to read them and I don't care about the rating. If I like the house, location and price then I'll buy it regardless of the EPC rating.
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Shattered Survivor (Tower Hamlets), on 06/12/2007 at 14:59
If as they say (and I thoroughly dispute) that energy assessors are 'professional' then I suggest that everyone who feels that the Energy Report does not deal fairly with the property should make a formal complaint. The only way to make government come to their senses is to make it more awkward for them to continue their position than to abandon it. If each and every energy report that contained errors attracted a complaint to the government from the seller then surprise surprise, they will suddenly be found to be unnecessary.
I also question the merits of having a virtual stranger tramp through your home. Being an accredited energy assesor gives you access to a great deal of potential information that could be uses by a criminal element to steal your idendity or worse. At least estate agents and most surveyors are visible in the community and have offices you can view before you instruct them. What controls are there on energy assessors?. They are likely operating out of their front room. More typical government bungling.
bob the builder (Stockport), on 05/12/2007 at 21:43
Unfortunately, the energy assessment is a legal requirement - blame europe for that.
The rest of the HIP is just down to Tony.
It's supposed to speed up a sale - it won't.
It's supposed to save the planet - it won't.
But the energy assessment might encourage buyers to consider spending a bit on grant-assisted loft and cavity wall insulation - payback time in months rather than years.
The assessment is supposed to allow buyers to compare different houses using very basic assumptions worked out from property age, size, type of heating etc, not how many jumpers and hats the current owner may or may not wear in bed!
It's been done with fridges and freezers - I defy anyone to find an E or G rated fridge for sale - they are all A, A+ or AAA rated now - consumer demand. A home is different - location location location - but as energy prices rise the home's energy rating WILL influence the buyers decision, like it or not.
It may take years to take effect, but how much energy a house uses will eventually be as important as how many bedrooms it has.
Andy (Winchester), on 05/12/2007 at 20:39
Debbie (Ceredigion), on 05/12/2007 at 19:29
Mark (Solihull), on 05/12/2007 at 18:24
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