Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

The Energy Performance Certificate is one of the new measures required throughout Europe to comply with legislation to help cut carbon emissions from buildings buildings and so help slow down climate change.

Also included in this legislation is the requirement for public buildings (libraries, town halls, hospitals) to show certificates explaining their energy efficiency. Air conditioning system inspection information also needs to be displayed.

Housing developers must provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for any new build property. The EPC gives the energy efficiency information of a building. It is presented in scale form starting at 'G' for least efficient and going all the way up to 'A' very efficient.

A Predicted Energy Assessment (PEA) is necessary for developers selling unbuilt (off-plan) housing.

The PEA or EPC must come with the Home Information Pack if a new home is to be sold on the market.

the EPC must be produced by a domestic energy assessor accredited on construction for all new homes. The assessor is not required to visit the property but must use approved Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) software.