Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates.

Background

Global warming is real and we are feeling the effects in our lifetime. Scientists have predicted that the UK climate will most likely get progressively warmer and wetter in the coming years if greenhouse gas levels continue to rise. This means that extreme weather such as that which caused the floods of June 2007 in South Yorkshire and other areas is likely to occur more often in the future.

The only sustainable way to prevent this from happening is to stop greenhouse gas levels from rising. Our homes make up around a third of the UK's carbon footprint, therefore it is essential we start cutting down our emissions. That's where the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) comes in.

The EU passed a law called the "Energy Performance of Buildings Directive". This law states that an EPC must be provided whenever a building is constructed, sold, or rented out.

The Government has recently highlighted the significance of EPCs, by insisting that the certificate must be the first document in a Home Information Pack and must be attached to the estate agents’ property particulars.

What is an EPC?

Essentially, the EPC is a plan of how to:
1) Reduce the amount of energy a property uses (and reduce cost).
2) Cut the property’s carbon footprint down to size.

The EPC will provide you with an energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact rating for the property as it stands on the day of the inspection and will make recommendations as to what can be done to improve them both. At first glance it looks very similar to the stickers that you find on many “white goods” like fridges and freezers. It uses a simple A–G scale where ‘A’ rated property will be very energy efficient and properties rated ‘F’ or ‘G’ will be much less efficient. In addition there will be a number of recommended improvements which are split in to categories of cost and it is your choice which ones are cost effective for you to undertake. These improvements are separated into three groups according cost of installation:

1) Low cost measures such as fitting low energy light bulbs.

2) Higher cost measures for example, replacing your boiler. .
3) Long term measures may take a long time to pay off in terms of money saved, but they could be worth it in the long run. For example double glazing typically takes many years to pay for itself by keeping the heat in, but it has other advantages such as being very durable, secure and it helps to reduce noise from outside.
It is intended that the average householder will decrease their heating and lighting bills by nearly £300 every year by taking notice of these improvements. They will also help reduce CO2 emissions and help decrease the effects of global warming.
In the past property has not been built with Energy Efficiency or Carbon emissions in mind. The following information may be of interest:

You are very unlikely to see any ‘A’ and ‘B’ rated properties, even property which is built now to the current building regulations is likely to only have either a ‘B’ or ‘C’ rating.
The average property across the Island achieves an ‘E’ rating.

The full 6 page Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is included within the Home Information pack (available inside), includes a number of improvements that could be made to help improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling. These include a whole range of items, e.g. providing additional roof insulation, installing cavity wall insulation, upgrading heating systems, and other minor improvements like using low energy light bulbs.
In the future, property that needs to achieve an ‘A’ rating will need to make more use of renewable energy like solar water heating, photovoltaic’s and ground/air source heat pumps.

From Autumn 2008 all domestic rented properties will also be required to have an EPC when a property becomes vacant or upon change of tenancy.

Click here to view a sample EPC

The Energy Inspection: What to expect from us

1. Appointment
We arrange the date, time and access arrangements for the inspection.

We will ask you to answer some questions about the property when we arrange the inspection. Don't worry if you can't answer some of the questions!

2. Inspection
Ideally, it is better if you were present for the inspection so that you can answer any further questions that may arise during the survey. However, if this is not possible we can collect and return your keys by arrangement.

Please have ready any paperwork to do with the house e.g. your boiler manual, extension dates, FENSA certificates and NHER certificate. If you can't be present, please make sure that the above documents are left for us.

When we inspect the property we will:

Take internal or external measurements of the property, draw floor plans and make site notes. We will need clear access to all areas of the property to assess the thermal performance and efficiency of the property including the loft, cellar, back garden, meter cupboards, heating systems and their controls, i.e. boilers, timers, hot water cylinders, thermostats, etc.
Record details of any 'renewables' you have
Photograph some aspects of the property for the report
It might be necessary to open windows and doors to determine wall thicknesses.

We won't:

Take up floorboards or drill into walls. The inspection is purely visual.
Make you have any improvements done. Our role is to draw up the EPC which will contain recommended changes. It is up to the property owner or the buyer to act on these suggestions.

For an average three bedroom property, the inspection will take between 45 minutes and an hour. If the property is more complex or has multiple extensions it might take longer.

3. Produce report
We produce your report. We endeavour to make the report available on the same day as the inspection.

If you have any general questions about the assessment please don't hesitate to ask. Please note that specific questions about the property may have to wait until we produce the report.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the inspection please let us know and we will endeavour to resolve the situation. If necessary, we have a formal complaints process which may lead to an independent decision by our accrediting body.

Still unsure about the inspection? Please read our FAQ page.

Benefits of using Reporting Ltd

Order your EPC from us and benefit from all of the following:

We are an entirely independent, local company which means that unlike other organisations we are not under pressure to complete a quota of six or seven inspections per day. We don't give priority to quantity over quality. We take the time to speak to homeowners, answer questions and perform thorough inspections.

We endeavour to make our EPCs available no more than one working day after inspection so you won't be waiting around for it to arrive.

You won't have the problem of the EPC instruction having to go through four or five different parties before it reaches the assessor. We offer a simple direct service without unnecessary delay.

We can set up and manage our own appointments. We can accept instructions over the phone or by email. In addition, you will receive same or next day confirmation of whether we can accept the instruction or not. If you prefer we can make our diary available so you can book in the appointment yourself.

By working with us, you will benefit from the level of dedication and commitment we stand for. Our service is local, streamlined, dedicated and professional. We are fully qualified, accredited, insured, data protection act compliant and CRB checked.

We are all local to the Isle of Wight, collectively having lived here for more than 65 years! We have excellent local knowledge that you won't get with large national providers.

We are very flexible in arranging inspections. We are able to accommodate inspections on bank holidays, Saturdays and out of hours where required.

Similarly, we also have flexible working practices, for example we can collect and return keys if required. We also maintain a range of ways you can get in touch with us so you aren't waiting for days for a reply to that crucial email you sent or voicemail you left.

Our fees are transparent and competitive with no hidden charges or add-ons.

We can accept EPC instructions for unusual buildings, for example thatched, or exceptionally large properties, or those that are either Listed or within Conservation Areas.

Order an EPC
We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please contact us on 01983 824103.

Download an Energy Performance Certificate