The Energy Performance Certificate

Currently around half of all carbon dioxide emissions come from buildings – about 30 per cent from homes and 20 per cent from other buildings.

The EU Performance of Buildings Directive was aimed at cutting carbon dioxide emissions from buildings and will be incorporated into domestic housing sector with the requirement of an Energy Performance Certificate, intended to come into effect in June 2007 as part of the Governments new Home Information Pack.

Its aim is to improve the energy performance of buildings and on sale of a domestic property an Energy Performance Certificate will need to be obtained before the property can be marketed. The certificate will make suggestions of cost effective actions to improve the energy performance of a property. This is expected to become a greater deciding factor with the ongoing increases in fuel prices.

The certificates will give home buyers and sellers A to G ratings for their home’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions. They will tell them current average costs for heating, hot water and lighting in their home as well as how to cut costs with energy efficiency measures.

The reports, prepared by qualified Home Inspectors or Domestic Energy Surveyors, will advise consumers on which energy measures - ranging from thicker loft insulation right through to solar panels - could cut carbon emissions from their home and improve their energy rating.