Domestic EPC's
Energy Performance Certificates (EPC's) are required when any building is sold, rented out or constructed and for certain refurbishments. They usually form part of a Home Information Pack (HIP) for domestic properties being marketed for sale.
EPC's give information on a building's energy efficiency in a sliding scale from 'A' (very efficient) to 'G' (least efficient). Every EPC also has a Recommendations Report showing how you could improve the rating and make the property more attractive to tenants. This guide is aimed at private residential landlords. It explains when EPC's are required by law, what an energy inspection involves, how you can prepare and what financial assistance is available if you want to improve the energy rating of your properties.
An Enviromission Assessor visits your property at a mutually agreed time - if you still have tenants living at the property you should try to ensure that the time is convenient for them too. You can expect the assessment of a three-bedroom property to take about an hour (larger or more complex properties take longer).
Enviromission will take internal and external measurements. We collect details about the construction of the property and the type of heating and hot water used. We might photograph heaters and meters for our evidence . Make sure our inspector has access to all rooms, the loft and the boiler.
To help Enviromission determine the most accurate rating for your property, gather relevant information in advance, such as receipts for any work done to the property.
The Enviromission Assessor will want to know:
- when the property was built (searches or deeds provide evidence),
- whether or not your property has been extended and when,
- whether it has been double glazed,
- whether the walls have been insulated and if so whether this is cavity, internal or external insulation,
- when boilers and hot water cylinders were installed and any manuals you may have,
- where the room thermostats and heating timers are,
- where the gas and electricity meters are, and
- the type of heating fuel you use and the types of heating you use for your rooms.
After the visit, the Assessor will enter the information into an authorised software programme used to produce the Energy Performance Certificate and Recommendation Report.
Recommendation Reports provided with your Energy Performance Certificate will detail ways to improve your property's energy performance.There is no legal obligation on you to act on these recommendations, but doing so may help you attract prospective tenants keen to cut energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.
Recommendations are split into low-cost improvements (eg. insulating the hot-water tank) and high-cost improvements (eg cavity wall insulation). Each improvement will show the typical cost savings per year as well as what the performance rating could be after making the improvement. You may find the report also includes more advanced (and more costly) measures, such as installing solar energy panels, which you will need to apply if your property is to achieve the highest energy efficiency standards.