28 Jan Energy Performance Certificate NorthWest: Understanding Why You Need Them
Energy Performance Certificate NorthWest: Understanding Why You Need Them
It’s quite likely that you have heard about energy performance certificates because every property in the UK must now have one.
But what are they and why are they now required?
An energy performance certificate indicates how much carbon dioxide a building is emitting. So essentially, what they’re doing is telling you how energy efficient the building is.
The reason why these are now required on all commercial and residential buildings throughout the UK is because of a European Union Directive that was inspired by the Kyoto Protocol. This was introduced as a direct way to try and collectively cut down on carbon emissions.
Since 2009, it has now been a requirement that all buildings in the UK have an EPC. The way they work is based on a rating system from A to G. This measures the energy efficiency of the building and gives a rating as to how harmful that building is to the surrounding environment.
Residential buildings are often the biggest users of carbon emissions. Think of basic household items like air conditioning, heating, lighting, and various other household appliances. These all contribute to massive amounts of energy consumption throughout the UK.
Why It Matters To Homeowners And Landlords
Maybe you think you won’t bother with an EPC but the truth is, you now need one.
So if you’re a homeowner looking to sell then you need to get an EPC before any real estate agent will take you seriously. If you’re a landlord, it’s a requirement to get an EPC for your property before you let it out to tenants.
Don’t have an EPC then you can be fined for violating these conditions. If you still don’t get an EPC after that then further action will be taken by the government until you comply and get an EPC for your property.
So there is really no way around it anymore.
If you have any of the following then you need an EPC as soon as possible:
– Individual house
– Self-contained flat
– Shared flats and houses
How Energy Ratings Affect You
These ratings begin with an A rating as the highest all the way to a G rating being the lowest.
A ratings mean that your property is highly energy efficient. A home with this rating probably has a lot of solar panels installed and is emitting little in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.
Properties with a G rating are the worst and the biggest offenders in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The energy efficiency ratings indicated by an energy performance certificate affect you in a number of key ways.
If you have an A level rating then your energy bills are going to be drastically lower than that of a property with a G rating. So if you’re a landlord looking to let out your property then you may find that some tenants are deterred the poor energy efficiency rating of your building.
After all, why would they want to pay more in energy bills when they don’t have to?
This is something you should consider as a landlord. Furthermore, homeowners looking to sell also need to consider these ratings because they affect the sale price. The lower your rating then the bigger impact this will have on your ability to sell your home.
Again, it comes back to energy bills. If a buyer can look at a home and see that there is an energy efficiency rating of A then they know that their energy bills are going to be low. For them, given that buying a home is a long-term decision, it’s going to factor heavily into their decision-making process.
Lastly, for sellers, without an EPC there is a realistic possibility that you’ll be blocked from even selling your home. So there is really no way that you can’t get an EPC if you want to sell.
What Next
The first thing you need to do is get your property analysed by an accredited energy efficiency assessor. They will come to your property and inspect all areas of your home like the lighting, water, heating, air conditioning, and more. They will then calculate the energy efficiency of your home based on their analysis of your property’s elements.
Once this is complete you’ll receive your EPC quickly in the email.
If you’d like to find out more about EPC’s and how to get one as soon as possible then contact us today for a free no-obligation quote.
No Comments