Energy performance certificate
Whether you are moving home or simply trying to cut energy consumption, this is for you.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Similar to appliance efficiency ratings seen on fridges and freezers, Energy Performance Certificates will provide prospective purchasers with an assessment of the property's energy consumption rating, together with a list of practical measures that can be taken to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions.
Asset Ratings Graphs showing energy rating of homes, which can be included in particulars the energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be. The environmental impact rating is a measure of a home’s impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The higher the rating the less impact it has on the environment.
Instructing your EPC
There are various ways of organising your EPC. Ask your estate agent/solicitor to instruct Prestige & Green on your behalf or you can contact our local office direct to book your inspection, where a member of staff will be pleased to take your instruction and book an appointment immediately.
Pre-inspection
Where possible to ensure accuracy and avoid delays you will be asked to answer a number of pre-inspection enquiries which will assist the assessor with the inspection.
Payments can be made over the phone by credit or debit card with Prestige & Green at the point of booking the inspection. Our Domestic Energy Assessor can pick up a cheque directly at the inspection.
The Inspection
It is preferable to have the homeowner in at the time of inspection, however, if this is not possible you will need to notify our staff when booking inspection so that we can organise key collection with you or your agent. If there will be anyone else at the property we will also need to know this at time of booking your inspection. We will not enter a property if children or dogs are unsupervised at home.
Certificates
These can be sent to you either by post or electronically.
Inspection questions may include: -
- Age of property.
- No. of extensions.
- Room in roof.
- What is the main heat source for your property?
- To provide the manual for your heating system.
- Do you have a hot water cylinder?
- To make sure you give free access to all heating systems and electricity meters.
- To have any relevant information about insulation improvements readily available i.e. - cavity wall insulation or loft insulation.
- Does the property have gas?
- If no, is there gas in your street?
- Does the property have an additional off peak electricity supply?
- What type of construction do you think the property is?
- Are there any additional buildings that are heated/habitable on your property? I.e. - converted garage or barn?
The survey
The Inspection will focus on:
- Main Property - Type, age of build, extensions, room in roof.
- Insulation - Walls, roof, floors.
- Heating systems - Type, Age, efficiency, thermostats & controls.
- Hot water system - Type, age, insulation, thermostats & controls.
- Fixed Lighting - Number of low energy light bulbs in fittings.
- Windows - Number, type, age, double glazed?
- Energy Sources - Gas, electric, coal, oil, solar, wind, ground source, etc.
- Heat Loss Perimeter - Outside walls and sheltered walls.
- Extensions - Number of, date of build, addition of insulation.
- Room in Roof - Floor area, date built.
- Conservatories - are they separated from the main dwelling by external doors?
- Roof construction - Flat/pitched.
- Walls - Type of construction, alternative construction.