Why I Need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

From October 2008 all buildings whenever sold, built or rented will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The certificate provides energy efficiency A-G ratings and recommendations for improvement. The ratings - similar to those found on products such as fridges - are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type. Acting on an EPC is important to cut energy consumption, save money on bills and help to safeguard the environment.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) intended to tell potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building.

How do I get an EPC?

If you are a landlord or homeowner and need to provide an EPC, you'll need to contact an accredited domestic energy assessor. They will carry out the assessment and produce the certificate.

Accreditation schemes make sure that domestic energy assessors (DEAs) have the right skills and are able to carry out the survey to agreed standards. These schemes make sure that DEAs:

adhere to standards, codes of conduct and procedures are qualified to conduct an energy assessment, produce the certificate and give advice have the correct insurance are part of a register have had a criminal records check have a complaints procedure

How do I find an energy assessor?

Use the energy performance certificate register website to search for an accredited domestic energy assessor. This website run by Landmark, on behalf of the government. You can also find accredited domestic energy assessors by searching online or by looking in the phone book.

How long is my EPC valid for?

EPCs are valid for ten (10) years.

What an EPC costs?

The price of an EPC is set by the market and will depend on the size and location of your property.v Call us on 0844 800 0528 and we will give you all the details over the phone about our pricing you will notice how efficient and very low cost than other companies. If you want us to call you we will call you, simply use the contact us form on our website to leave us a message and we'll be in touch with you soon.

What to do if I am not happy with my EPC?

If you are not happy, you should discuss your complaint with the domestic energy assessor who carried out your assessment. All domestic energy assessors must have a complaints process in place, so they should be able to provide you with a copy of their complaints procedure. If the complaint isn't resolved, you can take it to their accreditation scheme.

When will I be given an EPC?

By law you should receive an EPC in the following cases:

Buying a newly built property Buyers of newly built properties should receive an EPC, free of charge. Renting a property

If you are interested in renting a property, the landlord must make an EPC available to you free of charge. However, you don't need an EPC when you are thinking of just renting a room with shared facilities rather than renting the whole property.

If you are not in one of the above categories

Even if you don't fall into the above categories, you can still apply for and receive an EPC from an energy assessor. This may be because you want to know how energy efficient your home is, and make improvements suggested by the recommendation report. Read 'Energy Performance Certificates - what they are' to find out more about what an EPC contains.

What happens if I am not given an EPC?

If you are not given an EPC when you are entitled to it, you should contact the trading standards department of your local council. Trading standards officers have the power to issue a fixed penalty notice of 200 for domestic properties where an EPC is not provided.

If you are buying a newly built home and an EPC hasn't been provided, you should contact the building control department of your local council.

Read More about EPC FAQ http://www.monument-info-search.co.uk/everything-you-need-to-know-about-epc/#EPC1

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Common Misconceptions About Home Energy Efficiency

In today's eco-friendly world there are a lot of statements made that lead you to believe certain products or ideas are all about saving energy. Being ecologically friendly encompasses a real life cause, a niche market, and a gimmick. That means when you are trying to create high levels of efficiency in your home you cannot just go by advertising to make buying choices.

It is a common misconception that when a product is advertised as ecologically friendly that the product is the equivalent of all natural. This is not necessarily true or untrue. It does not have to be. Just like a product in the market can be labeled organic despite only meeting seventy five percent of the requirements, labeling for ecologically improved products can be misleading.

When you are considering the best way to apply various products to your home in order to make it more energy efficient you want to be assured that you are putting your money into a truly efficient product. Since advertisers have such leeway, this is tricky.

Another common misconception is found in the general application of efficiency products. For instance, not all homes are going to benefit in the same way from securing the window edges. For some homes, this is enough to stop drafts. For others, it is only a single step toward a greater goal.

If there is air creeping in through other areas of your house, sealing window edges only takes care of half of the problem. If you are unaware of just how much air comes in through other areas you will be disappointed with the results. Getting the proper airflow correction often requires testing.

If your home has drafts, your heating bill is creeping up, or your cooling costs are astounding testing can open your eyes to exactly what you need to get the most energy efficiency possible. Testing is done by sealing off the room and locating drafts with a smoke product, usually one that is highly visible and can show your the source of each draft.

Moreover, one of the first things you want to look at includes sealing off areas that are obviously creating a space for cold air to enter the home. Households in colder regions need to be sure that there is a strong barrier between the inside and outside of the house. With products like spray foam insulation Portland families can face the bitter chill of the winter rain while Miami residents can maintain better cooling efficiency even in August.

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