Why is an EPC important?

When a house is developed, sold, or rented, a domestic Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required by UK legislation and must be acquired before marketing. The energy efficiency of a property, its environmental effect, and the normal operating expenses are all detailed in an EPC.

Additionally, an EPC offers suggestions on how to consume less energy and save money. Due to their lower operating costs, energy efficient houses have shown to be more enticing to purchasers and tenants.

Today, there are three kinds of EPC – a Domestic EPC, a Commercial EPC and a Display Energy Certificate – also known as a DEC.

• Regardless of the size, a Domestic Energy Certificate is necessary whenever a structure that serves as a family’s home is sold or rented. Consequently, you must present an EPC whether you are renting out or selling your house. 

However, there are a few exceptions, such as short-term structures that won’t be used for longer than two years, standalone structures with a total floor area of less than 50 m2, energy-efficient workshops and non-residential sites, vacation homes or residential structures that are rented out for four months or less annually, and some historically significant structures.

A £200 charge is imposed if a domestic home does not have an EPC when it is being sold or rented out.

• If you are buying, selling, renting, or leasing a business property, you must have a commercial energy certificate. Additionally, if you just underwent property building, you must have finished it before the property is listed.     

 If it is a place of worship, a temporary structure that won’t be used for longer than two years, a stand-alone building with a total floor area of less than 50 m2, a property that already has a demolition order in place, or a property with a low energy demand, like an agricultural building, are some exceptions that don’t require a commercial EPC.

f a commercial building does not have an EPC when one is needed, a fine of between £500 and £5000 may be assessed.

• A Display Energy Certificate is required by public buildings and must be displayed to advise the public who are using the building of its energy efficiency. By law it must be placed in a prominent place – often by the reception or near the main entrance – and the failure to do this can result in a £500 fine.

The law says that you need to have a DEC if you meet three criteria – that:

• A public authority, such as a museum, a recreation centre, the NHS, a college, or a council facility, occupies all or part of the structure.
• Its overall floor space is more than 250m2.
• Regular visitors from the general public stop by (regardless of how many people actually turn up)

Additionally, you must annually renew the DEC if the total useable floor space exceeds 1000m2. The certificate would be valid for ten years if the total floor space fell between 250 and 1000 square metres.