Energy Performance Certificates

Mcfi5dhc

sonastin wrote: »

Perhaps someone could explain why every single EPC recommends solar panels as the default expensive improvement. I would expect improving a property's insulation would be a more realistic / feasible change to make to improve its energy performance but I've never seen that as a recommendation...

(Oh yeah, does this put me in the 5% that actually reads them?!)

I wonder what they'll say to me? I already have solar PV! (and double glazing, insulation etc etc)

I can't answer your question though, except that as 99% of houses don't have them, its probably an easy option.

Markie11

I'm in the same boat as you, looking to sell the house myself but I'm that stage further on the EPC thing. I visited a number of sites online last week that perform the necessary checks to produce the EPC. Of about 5 who I requested quotes from one in particular called me back within half an hour. They offered an appointment to visit the next day, the chap came out on time and was there for 40 minutes doing what he needed to do. 24 hours later I received the invoice and the epc certificate. Perfect, good results too.

Cost: £50 for 2 Bedroom city centre apartment
Performed by: Richard Carter linked via http://www.epcchoice.com/index.php. Speak to some guy called Chris Grant.

clutton_2

E8Es

my epc report contained the mystical phrase "solid stone brick built" - now there's a conundrum...

the uselessness of EPCs is that there is NO compulsion on the home-owner / landlord to DO anything about a low rating.. so what is the perishin point ????

another piece of Euro-crap... and yes... the ONLY people i have heard defend it are those who work in the industry - get real E8Es

indeed i have never been asked for a copy of my EPC either by letting agents or tenants..... never once....

N79

I've never understood why owner occupier EPCs are valid for only 3 years - this is purely a UK restriction. There is also no requirement for flats to have an independent EPC - a generic block one, renewable once every 10 years and applicable to all the flats in the block would have been fine.

clutton_2

N79 - it would be interesting to know if one large company got a contract with the Government for EPCs and which MP is on the board....


should i take my cynical hat off now ?

Bananamana

clutton wrote: »

E8Es

another piece of Euro-crap... and yes... the ONLY people i have heard defend it are those who work in the industry - get real E8Es

Probably the only reason it wasn't suspended with the rest of the HIP in all honesty as its laid down in EU directive and requires the government to jump through a few more hoops to ditch.

Oh wait... now I'm being cynical

N79

The EPC directive has just been modified (19th May) - the latest draft removes the requirement for houses to have an individual EPC (never let it be said that the EU doesn't occasionally listen to comments on its more unworkable paperwork - or more accurately a few EU Civil Servants are annoyed at having to pay for EPCs ;-) ) although it also removes the 1000m2 requriement to trigger energy efficiency improvements in all property refurbishment which I suppose goes some way to addressing Clutton's point about the lack of an obligation to act on an EPC. I'm sure we will soon have an amendment to building regs to take this second point into account (and yet more certification or works - eg a new roof etc) but it will be interesting to see whether the relaxation of EPCs makes it into English law given that an entire career has been created out of this pointless scheme.

david29dpo

I DID believe the plan was to replace the council tax with Co2 tax (from the EPC) in the future. Not sure what this governments plans are.

clutton_2

there has probably been enough CO2 produced by heated discussion about this Exceptionally Pointless Certificate to increase greenhouse gases for 50 years !!

alanmilstein

As some one who has done many EPC's I can perhaps, clarify some points here.
1. ALL EPC's are valid for 10 years. There is absolutely no difference between an EPC for a property for sale and one for rent.
2. ALL dwellings need an EPC when offered for sale or rent. If a flat is in a block then it will need its own EPC.
3. The software used to produce an EPC was designed by the Government and the energy assessor cannot influence it in ANY way other than with the data they input and by removing recommendations in certain circumstances.
4. The rules about when you classify an upper floor as a "room in the roof" are specified in the Governments rules and are not at the behest of the assessor to determine. If the room fits the rule for a room-in-the-roof then that's what it's called.
5. ALL residential properties are assessed under the same set of rules i.e. the EPC should be seen as a comparative tool in that you can compare one property with another. Various schemes operate for accreditation of assessors but they shoudl all be working to the same guidance.
6. You can get an EPC off the internet for £40, or buy one from a company like mine for £75. The only difference is that with a company like mine you get a more personal service, better follow up and reliability, and a known local firm. The EPC itself is exactly the same.