Energy Performance Certificate
From August 1st 2007 some properties put up for sale must have, as part of their Home Information Pack, an Energy Performance Certificate, sometimes called an EPC or Domestic Energy Certificate. Soon after this all properties will need it (though as yet we don't have a date!)
We can provide this certificate for you. have a look at
www.mkdea.co.uk for full details of our EPC service.
What is a Energy Performance Certificate?
If you have bought a fridge, washing machine or freezer lately, you'll have seen a sticker similar to the one below. A Energy Performance Certificate is very similar to that on your fridge etc, except that it gives details of your homes existing performance, and its potential performance, with recommendations on how to achieve the later.
Its purpose is to record how energy-efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the property from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
The environmental impact rating is a measure of a home's impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (C02) emissions - the higher the rating, the less impact it has on the environment. The energy-efficiency rating is a measure of a home's overall efficiency. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the home is, and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings
Improving the energy efficiency of your home can mean either making changes to the building, or simply changing your behaviour to save energy. Energy Performance Certificates will give you advice on both of these areas, for example:
• Low-energy lightbulbs. These last up to 12 times longer and use around 80 per cent less energy than traditional filament bulbs
• Hot water tank jackets. These can cut heat loss by around 75 per cent
• Loft insulation. Insulation that's at least 250mm thick can cut heat loss by around 30 per cent
• Cavity wall insulation. Can cut heat loss by over 30 per cent.
Getting a certificate
It is important to understand that a certificate is NOT a Home Information Pack, it is only part of it.
A Home Information Pack contains lots of items and should be sourced from a solicitor or other reputable body. You can contact us and we'll recommend a good source.
Britian is, unfortunately a nation of middle men, and it's highly likely that a wide range of businesses will try to use this legislation as a reason to fleece you of hundreds of pounds. Our advice is to approach a solicitor directly for your pack, and either ask them to obtain your Energy Performance Certificate, or ring us and ask us to do it. We'll send out a qualified inspector to evaluate your home. No middle men, no mark up: you pay us, we give you the certificate. We have already seen up to FOUR layers of people between the home owner and the assesor, each making a few % (normally 10-15%) on the deal.