Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) show potential home buyers or tenants how energy efficient the building is. The EPC contains information on potential energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions. A coloured chart, similar to those used on household electrical appliances, shows how energy efficient the building is or could be.
Energy ratings
Buildings are rated from 'A' to 'G'. 'A' means the building is very efficient and is coloured green on the chart. 'G' means it is inefficient and is coloured red on the chart.
Properties with a higher rating are likely to have lower fuel bills.
The law
EPCs are needed whenever a property is:
- built
- marketed for sale or rent
Not having an EPC could lead to enforcement action and the issuing of a penalty charge notice. District councils are the enforcing authority in Northern Ireland.
Each EPC is valid for 10 years and can be used multiple times during that period. An EPC can only be produced by an accredited energy assessor who will visit the property to carry out an assessment.
A copy of the EPC is lodged on a national register and can be accessed via the EPC search facility on the EPC Register. It will be publicly available and some of the underlying data may be shared with others for the monitoring and compliance of the EPB regulations. The government may use some of this data for research or statistical purposes.
Compare energy efficiency
EPCs are produced using standard information about buildings. This allows prospective buyers and tenants to easily see and compare the energy efficiency of all properties they are considering. It also shows them how much it may cost to heat and light a building before they enter into a contract.
Improve energy efficiency
The EPC also shows how energy efficient a property could be if some improvements are carried out. These include replacing lighting with low energy bulbs or upgrading insulation.
With each EPC is a report that sets out the cost effective measures that homeowners or businesses can take to improve the energy efficiency and energy rating of their property.
Responsibilities
If you are selling your building or renting it out to a new tenant it is your responsibility as the owner or landlord to make sure you have an EPC. Also, you need to make it available to potential buyers or tenants and you must give a copy to the new owner when you sell the building.
If you are buying or thinking of renting a property from a landlord, the EPC should be made available to you at no cost. Should you choose to buy the property, you will be given a copy by the seller that you can reuse if you sell or rent out the building within the EPC’s period of validity.
Advice
For advice on EPCs or if an EPC has not been made available to you as a buyer or new tenant, contact your local district council building control.
For more information on the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations or to download guidance on EPCs you can visit the Department of Finance website. The website has a new search facility which allows you to search for an EPC by postcode.
You can also search the Northern Ireland Register to find an accredited energy assessor.