Energy Performance Certificates
(EPC's)
Energy Ratings
An EPC is a government approved document that
displays the predicted energy costs and carbon
dioxide emissions from heating and lighting your
property. There are separate EPC formats for New
Build Dwellings and Commercial Buildings, but
all have similar features.
The energy rating of dwellings uses software
derived from the Standard Assessment Procedure
(SAP), a government approved methodology. Existing
dwellings are rated using Reduced Data SAP (RdSAP)
which is based on a property inspection, rather
than consulting a building plan and specification.
The energy rating of dwellings is expressed on
a scale of 1 to 100, the higher the better, and
the ratings are grouped into eight bands from
A to G, where A is the highest efficiency. This
is a similar system to the energy rating of electrical
"white goods" and new motor vehicles.
The current average energy rating
for a dwelling in the UK is band E, whereas a
newly built dwelling, built to the latest building
regulations, might achieve band B.
The EPC displays a second rating
called the Environmental Impact Rating. This is
based on the predicted carbon emissions (CO²)
resulting from using fuel to heat, light and provide
domestic hot water in the property.
The energy rating and the environmental
impact ratings are linked, but different fuels
give off differing amounts of carbon dioxide,
so the relationship between the two ratings will
vary depending on which fuels are being consumed
in the property. |
