A Guide to Energy Performance Certificates
Having an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a compulsory part of the Government's Home Information Pack (HIP) scheme which is now obligatory for most homes on the market in England and Wales. The EPC displays the energy efficiency and environmental impact of your home through a number of coloured bar charts that you may have seen on a number of different white goods and appliances./p>
The first graph chart grades energy efficiency with a green bar at the top meaning 'A' which is 'Very Energy Efficient' to a longer red bar down at the bottom meaning 'G' which is 'Not Energy Efficient'. There is also the Environmental Impact Chart which shows CO2 emissions of the home in blue and grey bars. An EPC will also include and assessor's recommendations and any suggestions and advice on how to improve the ratings of a building.
All new build properties now require an EPC and any older property that is being sold will also need one as part of their HIP. Without this, you won't be allowed to put your home on the market! In order to get an EPC as part of your HIP pack or in order to let a property the only way to do so is through contacting a Domestic Energy Assessor. Assessor's aren't particularly hard to find now that EPCs are so common, there will be plenty listed online and in the Yellow Pages and an assessment will only cost in the region of 100 an average house. Your EPC will be valid for up to ten years but if it's being used as part of a Home Information Pack it must have been conducted within the last 3 years.
During the inspection, the Domestic Energy Assessor will look into every energy related area of your home. They'll discuss energy usage in your home with you and any steps towards being more energy efficient that you're already taking. For example, they may ask and advise about double glazing installed, ask you about using energy efficient light bulbs or what standards of insulation you currently have in your home. Domestic Energy Advisor's aren't there to interrogate you and listening to them wont only help you help the environment but also help you save money as well.
The first graph chart grades energy efficiency with a green bar at the top meaning 'A' which is 'Very Energy Efficient' to a longer red bar down at the bottom meaning 'G' which is 'Not Energy Efficient'. There is also the Environmental Impact Chart which shows CO2 emissions of the home in blue and grey bars. An EPC will also include and assessor's recommendations and any suggestions and advice on how to improve the ratings of a building.
All new build properties now require an EPC and any older property that is being sold will also need one as part of their HIP. Without this, you won't be allowed to put your home on the market! In order to get an EPC as part of your HIP pack or in order to let a property the only way to do so is through contacting a Domestic Energy Assessor. Assessor's aren't particularly hard to find now that EPCs are so common, there will be plenty listed online and in the Yellow Pages and an assessment will only cost in the region of 100 an average house. Your EPC will be valid for up to ten years but if it's being used as part of a Home Information Pack it must have been conducted within the last 3 years.
During the inspection, the Domestic Energy Assessor will look into every energy related area of your home. They'll discuss energy usage in your home with you and any steps towards being more energy efficient that you're already taking. For example, they may ask and advise about double glazing installed, ask you about using energy efficient light bulbs or what standards of insulation you currently have in your home. Domestic Energy Advisor's aren't there to interrogate you and listening to them wont only help you help the environment but also help you save money as well.
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