Smart Energy Assessment

Energy Performance Certificates In Shropshire and surrounding areas.
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What's an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate is in 2 parts.

 
  • The first part of the certificate is a benchmarked measure, both of efficiency and environmental impact, of the home’s energy performance on a scale A to G, where A is very efficient and G is at the other end of the spectrum.
 
  • The second part provides cost effective recommendations for improving the energy performance of the home, information on renewable energy and recommendations on energy efficient behaviour.


The Need for an EPC


The requirement for an Energy Performance Certificate has been set by a European Directive which all member states have to implement. The EU found that a significant proportion of energy was being used by commercial and residential properties. Small increases to the energy efficiency in the millions of properties across Europe will result in a significant overall reduction in energy usage.

The Energy Performance Certificate is part of these new measures to improve property efficiency. It will include suggestions to enable homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of the building. This can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers, and could make homes more attractive to potential purchasers.


The Purpose of an EPC


  • The Energy Performance Certificate is similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.

 

  • Its purpose is to record how energy-efficient a property is as a building.


  • The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate.


  • This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).


  • Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes - which should have the lowest fuel bills - are in band A.

 

  • The Certificate also tells you,on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment. Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.


  • The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment


  • Most sellers of newly built homes will have to provide a predicted assessment of the energy efficiency of the property, but a full Energy Performance Certificate should be provided to the buyer when the home is completed.

The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust who can help you find out whether you could be eligible for grants or discounts to help carry out these improvements to your home. It will also list simple ways that changes in behaviour can save you energy and money - without the need for any works.

The appearance of an EPC

You can see here a picture of what an EPC will look like and an example of a full report is available at

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/energy-certificate

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