For property owners looking to sell or rent their homes in London or anywhere in the UK, an Energy Performance Certificate is a mandatory requirement introduced by the government. Here's everything you need to know about EPC and how you can ensure your property gets a good rating.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

Households in the UK contribute to almost 40% of all carbon emissions. Therefore, the government has introduced several measures to reduce this footprint at the source. EPC is a method by which an authorised domestic energy assessor can check the energy consumption levels of a home and recommend positive solutions to enhance energy efficiency. A good EPC rating brings down the utility cost of a property, which is relevant information for homebuyers and tenants.

How are properties rated for EPC?

All EPC checks mandate an accredited assessor to visit the residence and conduct a comprehensive check of drafts and other crevices through which heat can escape. Wall and floor insulation, electrical appliances and window glazing are other parameters included in the assessment.

Properties are rated within a spectrum of seven bands from A to G and given points out of 100. Properties within the A band receive the highest points and are considered the most energy-efficient. In contrast, properties in E and lower bands are the least energy-efficient and landlords or sellers may need to make significant improvements before selling or renting.

What details are included in an EPC?

According to the present regulations, a successful EPC must include the following details -

  • Asset rating of the building
  • A reference value or benchmark
  • A recommendation report, unless there is no scope for potential energy performance improvements
  • The reference or case number and date of issue
  • An estimate of the building or property's total usable floor area

How long is an EPC valid for?

EPC assessments carried out on any building are valid for 10 years regardless of how many times a property within that building is sold or rented out. It is also mandatory for landlords and sellers to share EPC details of their property when advertising it on any form of print, electronic or digital media.

What is the cost of an EPC?

The cost of carrying out an EPC for a property can vary based on the size, location and type of property. In London, average EPC fees can range between £60 and £120, as defined by the Property Energy Professionals Association (PEPA). It's always advisable to compare the services and fees of different registered energy assessors to get the best price. New-built homes require a detailed assessment and cost more compared to older buildings.

Do landlords have a legal obligation to provide EPC?

As per the current legislation, landlords cannot rent properties with an EPC below E. This means if you have a property in the F and G bands, you need to make significant improvements and get an E certificate to let it out. Tenants can also request landlords to make energy-efficiency improvements as a condition to proceeding with an agreement. There is a stipulated timeframe of seven days, with a 21-day extension for landlords and sellers to obtain an EPC, after which a fine of £200 may be levied for failure to comply.

Is there an average EPC for different types of properties?

If you plan to get an EPC done sometime soon, you should know what to expect from the assessors. Properties are assigned an average EPC by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) based on their year of development. While the average energy rating for homes in the UK is D, with a score of 60, properties built after 2012 generally have an EPC rating of B. Properties built after 1983 and before 2012 have an average rating of C, while buildings that are over a century-old have an average of E. Flats generally tend to have better EPC scores than detached or semi-detached family homes.

What measures can be taken to improve EPC rating?

According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), annual utility bills for London and UK homes with an EPC rating of C can cost up to £300 less than properties with a D rating and £740 less than those with an E rating. Therefore, improving the EPC rating of your home can have several long-term cost benefits.

There are several ways you can improve your home's EPC rating but it's good to start with measures to trap heat and prevent its exit. Double and triple-glazed windows can retain up to 40% of indoor heat, significantly improving energy efficiency.

Professional loft and wall insulation can prevent energy from escaping through other openings and gaps. Installation of energy-efficient LED lights, use of renewable energy equipment like solar panels and ground source heat pumps, sealing open chimneys and regular boiler maintenance are some other tips to improve a home's overall energy rating.