In the United Kingdom, the energy efficiency of any specific house has become a hot topic in recent years.
A well-insulated house will keep your energy bills down during the colder months. This makes an energy efficient house desirable for buyers.
The government requires you to measure your property’s energy efficiency. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is the way to do this.
So, if you have any questions about EPCs – including how you get one, what they cost, and more – keep reading.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
You need to hire a qualified assessor to assess the energy efficiency of your house. You will then get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) that summarises the results.
Buyers prefer to buy a house with a higher EPC rating, because it means that the building retains heat well and has a low carbon footprint. This can help to reduce energy bills during the coldest months.
Once you receive the certificate, it is valid for up to 10 years. Yet, some people choose to refresh their rating if they make improvements to the house. This is especially in light of new government legislation, which we have covered more on below.
In most cases, you need to have this documentation when you sell your house.
How much does an EPC cost?
You will pay a small fee to get an EPC for your property, which is often between £60 and £120.
You need to get your EPC completed by a qualified assessor. If you don’t, the results will be invalid, and you will need to get another one completed.
Does an EPC make recommendations on changes?
Yes, your EPC will usually come with recommendations on ways you can improve the property’s energy efficiency.
The assessor will look at the current features of your house and identify new additions or changes. Some of the most common suggestions include:
- Switching lighting to LED
- Adding extra layers of insulation
- Utilising more natural light
- Install heating controls
- Replace the boiler with an updated model
- Add in double or triple glazed windows
These are a few of the many suggestions you could receive. It is up to you which ones you choose to install, and which ones you ignore.
You are likely to pay on the higher end of the EPC price bracket if you want in-depth recommendations. You should clarify how much difference each implementation makes to the rating.
Can I sell my house without an EPC?
If you try to sell your property on the open market without an EPC, you will be unable to do so, as they are now required. So, if you are planning on selling the house, you should get an EPC sorted. This can usually be within a couple of weeks.
There are some circumstances when an EPC is not required. These include:
- Temporary buildings used for less than 2 years
- Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres
- Non-residential agricultural buildings
- Some buildings due to be demolished
- Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year
- Listed buildings
- Homes used less than 4 months a year
- Places of worship
There are other ways that you could offload your property without an EPC. For example, cash buying companies will buy your house in any condition. This means that the absence of an EPC will not affect the sale.
Can I complain about an EPC?
If you are unhappy about the findings of your EPC, it is possible to complain about it.
The first step is to speak to your assessor. If you are still unhappy after this, you will need to contact their certification body.
Once you state your grievances, the certification body should look into it. Unless there has been an obvious injustice, though, they are likely to side with the assessor.
Does my house’s EPC score affect its value?
Yes, the EPC rating of your house will likely have an affect on its value. If a potential buyer has a choice between two properties, they will likely choose the one with the improved rating.
In the United Kingdom, it is chilly or cold for most months of the year. So, how well a house retains heat is an important detail, because it affects the energy bills that the resident is paying. This was particularly brought to light at the start of the decade, when there was a high cost of living.
When you install energy efficient features, you should get an expert’s opinion on how much value it will add to your house. For example, paying thousands of pounds for solar panels is futile. Unless you receive a return on this investment via the selling price.
Is the law around EPC scores changing?
In recent years, the UK government has announced that you soon won’t be able to rent out a property unless it has an EPC rating of ‘C’ or higher.
From 2025 onwards, landlords will need to make sure that any new tenancies have a minimum rating of ‘C’. By 2028, all rental properties will need to have a ‘C’ rating.
This change by the UK government is its effort to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint and become net zero by 2050.
How can I check my property’s EPC rating?
If you need a copy of the existing EPC or wish to check for its authenticity, you can use the EPC Register. This is available online, and you’ll need to enter the RRN (Report Reference Number) for the existing EPC.
You can also search Energy Performance Certificate ratings for properties in your area at no extra charge. This is useful for comparing the energy efficiency of your home to similar properties.
Many homeowners use this new information to improve their property by upgrading the heating, water, and lighting. Energy Performance Certificates even tell you the potential savings you can make on your bills. This is useful if you decide to stay in your current home.
Checking an Energy Performance Certificate can reveal valuable information when buying. If you are considering your next move, check the property energy rating to understand more about the monthly cost of the bills.
