Energy Performance Certificate

Energy Performance Certificates or EPCs are due to be part of Home Information Packs, [ The Housing Act 2004, Part 5, ISBN 0 10 543404 3. ] which have been in effect since the 1st August 2007 in England and Wales for domestic properties with 4 or more bedrooms. The scheme was extended to encompass 3 bedroom homes from the 10th of September 2007. They are a result of European Union Directive 2002/91/EC [ [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:001:0065:0071:EN:PDF Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2002/91/ec ] ] relating to the energy performance of buildings. The directive itself was inspired by the Kyoto Protocol which commits the EU to reduce CO₂ by 8% by 2010, to 5.2% below 1990 levels. The directive came into force on the 4th January 2006 and requires member states to comply with Article 7 (Energy Performance Certificates), Article 8 (Inspection of boilers) and Article 9 (Inspection of air conditioning systems) within 3 years of the inception date, the deadline being 4th January 2009.

In the UK this directive was enacted in Part 5 of the Housing Act 2004.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is based on the RDSAPv3 procedure, which is a simplified version of the SAP2005. SAP is short for Standard Assessment Procedure and RDSAP for Reduced Data SAP. The EPC will be produced by Home Inspectors or Domestic Energy Assessors to be included as part of a Home Information Pack.

It is thought that the information gathered on properties' energy performance may be used to establish a form of 'Energy Taxation' in the future, meaning that properties with poor energy ratings are subject to higher taxes.

In addition to the requirements in relation to dwellings there is also a requirement for EPCs on the sale, rent or construction of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area greater than 500m² from the 6^th April 2008.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate

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. [ [http://cheap-epc.co.uk/forum/What-is-an-Energy-Performance-Certificate What is an Energy Performance Certificate?] ]

Exempt properties

Properties exempt from the Housing Act 2004 are:Non-residential, such as offices, shops, warehouses.Mixed Use, a dwelling house which part of a business (farm, shop, petrol station)Unsafe Properties, a property that poses a serious health and safety risk to occupants or visitorsProperties to be demolished, properties that are due to be demolished where the marketing of the property, all the relevant documents and planning permission exists.

The First Energy Performance Certificate

The first EPC was carried out on a semi-detached house in Manchester by former midwife Jayne Seymour. The EPC was broadcast live on the UK breakfast news show GMTV.

ee also

*Energy efficiency in British housing
*Energy policy of the United Kingdom
*Energy policy of the European Union

References