The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) explained

From the 1st of August residential properties with four bedrooms and above will be assessed and this report will be included in the Home Information Pack. If you decide to commission a Home Condition Report the energy performance certificate is automatically included and this may be a more cost effective option.

The EPC will provide you with an energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact rating for the property as it stands on the day of the inspection and will make recommendations as to what can be done to improve them both.
 

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At first glance it looks very similar to the stickers that you find on many “white goods” like fridges and freezers. It uses a simple A–G scale where ‘A’ rated property will be very energy efficient and properties rated ‘F’ or ‘G’ will be much less efficient.

In addition there will be a number of recommended improvements which are split in to categories of investment and it is your choice which ones are cost effective for you to undertake.
The average householder will decrease their heating and lighting bills by nearly £300 every year by taking notice of these improvements. They will also help reduce CO² emissions and help decrease the effects of global warming.
From 2008 all domestic rented properties will also be required to have an EPC.
A qualified DEA (Domestic Energy Assessor) and a qualified HI (Home Inspector) are both licensed to under take EPC work and issue certificates. The Home Inspector must provide an objective opinion about the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the property, which the buyer and the seller must be able to rely on and use.