Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates From the 1st June 2007 all homes for sale will be required to produce an Energy Performance Certificate.
Our fully trained energy assessors can carry out an audit of your property and make recommendations for improvement.
For further details please call 0845 009 3687 or visit www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

Home Information Packs including Energy Performance Certificates will be implemented on a phased basis from 1 August. From then Packs will be required for the sale of four bedroom properties and larger, with smaller properties being phased in as soon as sufficient energy assessors are fully qualified.
Until the end of this year, properties can be marketed as soon as a pack is commissioned, and as a temporary measure Energy Performance Certificates can be up to 12 months old when a property is put up for sale. See here for full details

Energy Performance Certificates and your home
An Energy Performance Certificate is part of a Home Information Pack. The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate. This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).

Did you know...

Domestic homes account for 27% of the UK's CO2 emissions.
The reports, prepared by qualified home inspectors, will advise consumers on which energy measures - ranging from thicker loft insulation right through to solar panels - could cut carbon emissions from their home and improve their energy rating.
What buildings must have an EPC?
All residential, public and commercial buildings, including offices, hotels, schools, hospitals and leisure organisations will require energy certificates.

How will it work?
When introduced, the law will require that when a building is constructed, sold or rented out, an EPC not more than 10 years old must be made available by the owner or by the owner to prospective purchasers or tenants.

What will the EPC look like?
The EPC will be based on the existing EU colour scheme, which is used to indicate the energy efficiency of domestic appliances like a fridge, dryer and so on.
How much will it cost?
The cost of having an EPC carried out will depend on the individual home inspector.

Energy Tips

There are lots of simple things you can do to save energy right now, which will reduce your carbon dioxide emissions and help prevent climate change. These range from turning your lights off when you leave a room to insulating your cavity walls.

• By bringing energy saving into every aspect of your life - work, travel, and day to day living - you can make a real difference.
  
  
• Not only will you be doing your bit to help prevent climate change you will also see a difference in your pocket. The average household could save up to £300 a year on energy bills by being more energy efficient.
  
  
• 10 ways to save energy, money, and help prevent climate change.

Here are some simple measures you can do right now.

10 point checklist

1. Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent. You could save around £40 per year.
2. Is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60°C/140°F.
3. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
4. Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
5. Don't leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
6. If you're not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy programme.
7. Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).
8. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
9. Use energy saving light bulbs. Just one can save you £100 over the lifetime of the bulb - and they last up to 12 times longer than ordinary lightbulbs.
10. Do a home energy check. Just answer some simple questions about your home and we'll give you a free, impartial report telling you how you can save up to £300 a year on your house hold energy bills.

FURTHER TIPS – www.energysavingtrust.org.uk