Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Energy Performance Certificates are being introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings, as part of a series of measures being introduced across Europe to reflect legislation which will help cut buildings' carbon emissions and tackle climate change.
If you are buying or selling a home you now need a certificate by law. From October 2008 EPC's will be required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out. The certificate provides 'A' to 'G' rating for the building, with 'A' being the most energy efficient and 'G' being the least, with the average up to now being 'D'.
Measures recommended in the EPC could save the average consumer £300 a year off their fuel bills, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
With EPC's being introduced today - giving home-buyers a home energy rating, the system will make easier for consumers to get grants to make the improvements recommended in the certificate.
For the first time, the six major energy companies have agreed that when buyers move into their home and sign to an energy contract they will get immediate access and information about 'green' grants or offers to consumers. This follows talks with the Government and will help them make their homes more environmentally friendly and cut fuel bills.
In addition, the scheme will include a new portal on the Energy Saving Trust's website where consumers only need to tap in their postcode to find details of offers available. Once fully rolled out it is estimated that the energy certificates would save nearly a million tonnes of carbon per year by 2020. |
