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Selling Your Home? Why an EPC is Your Best Friend
By Ash Mashhadi

If you're buying or selling a home in Plymouth, you need to know your EPCs from your ABCs. It's a legal requirement and a good can help you stand out from the crowd. Find out everything you need to know in this interview with Craig Duncan, Plymouth's EPC expert.

 

What is an EPC? Why do we have them?
EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate and they are used to measure how energy efficient your home is. The energy rating of each property is measured by way of a graph with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least energy efficient. The reason we have them is that they are part of the UK's commitment to the Kyoto agreement to meet emission reduction targets.

Who needs to have an EPC? 
Anyone who wishes to either sell or rent out a property within the UK has to have, by law, an Energy Performance Certificate in place. The benefits are that potential buyers or tenants can see how the property performs with regard to energy efficiency. The report covers heat loss areas, boiler efficiency, loft insulation, window efficiency levels and so on.

How long does a certificate last?
A certificate lasts for 10 years but a new one should be considered if the property undergoes any significant changes, for example cavity wall insulation or a new boiler fitted

Is it possible to sell a flat or house without an EPC?
No, each property must have an Energy Performance Certificate in place before marketing can commence

How can I tell if the person doing my EPC is professional?  
Any person carrying out an EPC must be qualified and affiliated to an accreditation scheme. The advisor must be in receipt of a City and Guilds Diploma for Energy Assessors (or equivalent) and should have his/her credentials available on request. Anyone looking for a locally based advisor can look on the government's website www.epcregister.com

Can I have an EPC even if I'm not about to sell?
Yes you can. The Government is launching "The Green Deal" in January 2013 which will enable households to benefit from energy saving advice and work through an approved provider. This initiative is anticipated to be the biggest house improvement drive since the end of the second world war.

Can having an EPC help me reduce my bills?
Yes, an EPC is essentially a "tool" to give you advice on what your home can benefit from to make it more energy efficient. It is something you will see more and more of in the coming months and especially in Plymouth where there are an awful lot of badly insulated homes due the age and type of construction.

About the Author:

Craig Duncan is one of Plymouth's foremost property experts. He is Director of Cross Keys Estates, and also has his own Plymouth-based EPC certification business.

Links:

If you want to arrange an EPC check for your home, contact him via his website EPC Plymouth.

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