A European Union Directive has seen the introduction of a new energy rating system for buildings, and it is now compulsory for owners of properties in the United Kingdom to be able to produce an Energy performance certificate when selling or renting a house. The certificate gives a rating according to a set of parameters measured by an inspector designed to help the owner identify the improvements that could be made to the energy efficiency of a building thereby reducing the carbon dioxide emissions to meet EU targets.
The EU is committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8 per cent by 2010, which will bring emission levels lower than they were in 1990. It is essential that the emissions are reduced to prevent a rise in global temperatures of over 2 degrees. By enforcing inspections to produce an energy performance certificate, it is hoped that energy waste will be minimised from households and commercial buildings.
The key aspects that are investigated include the presence of double glazing, loft insulation, central heating and boiler condition. These factors are combined to give an energy rating between A and G, with A being the more energy efficient. An energy performance certificate will also predict the cost of the bills for the property based on the rating. When this information is combined with highlighting the areas that can be improved, and the amount of money that could be saved, it is hoped that property owners will improve the efficiency of a property.
Energy Performance Certificates are part of a Home Information Pack, which was bought into effect as part of the 2004 Housing Act. It is compulsory for any property on the market to have a complete pack, which is intended to present to a buyer in plain English the state of the property in terms of condition and energy efficiency. It was hoped that this would prevent sales falling through due to undisclosed problems with a property.
If a property owner does not have an Energy Performance Certificate, or presents an incomplete Home Information Pack, it is possible that they may face a 200 GBP fine per day for each day that the property is on the market without the required documents. The information that is now required prior to sale or rental may well prompt property owners to improve the energy efficiency of a building, but to what extent this will affect carbon dioxide emissions for the UK remains to be seen.
Author Resource:-
Dom Donaldson is an energy expert.
Find out more about an Energy Performance Certificate and how it may affect your property at National Energy rating.
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