Understanding EPC Certificates
Your complete guide to Energy Performance Certificates. Understand the ratings, requirements, and benefits of having an up-to-date EPC.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legally required document that provides a detailed overview of a property's energy efficiency. It gives the property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient) and is valid for 10 years. An important question many people ask is "do I need a new EPC to sell my house?" - yes, a valid EPC is required for sale or rent.
The certificate includes information on the property's energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, and a recommendation report with suggestions on how to improve the property's energy efficiency. This helps homeowners, landlords, and potential buyers or tenants understand the energy running costs of a property and how they can be reduced. For sellers, understanding the benefits of a high EPC rating for sellers is key, as it can influence property value, especially with the rise of green mortgage EPC requirements.
- Selling a Property: You must order an EPC for potential buyers before you market your property to sell.
- Renting a Property: Landlords need to provide tenants with a valid EPC. Since 2018, rental properties must have a minimum EPC rating of 'E' (unless exempt), a key part of landlord MEES requirements.
- Newly Built Properties: All new build homes require a SAP EPC before they can be sold or rented out.
The EPC Report Explained
The EPC report has two main parts. First, the energy efficiency rating, which is a visual A-G scale showing the current and potential rating of the property. A higher rating means lower energy bills. How long does an EPC take? The assessment is quick, usually under an hour for a standard home.
Second, the recommendation report. This section provides a list of cost-effective measures to improve the building's energy rating. If you need to know how to improve EPC rating from E to C, this report is your guide. Recommendations can include:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity or solid wall insulation
- Upgrading to double or triple glazing
- Installing a more efficient boiler
- Switching to low-energy lighting
- Installing renewable energy technology like solar panels
Our EPC Services
We provide fast, accredited, and cheap residential EPCs for all types of properties.