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Existing Dwellings |
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Since January 2008 all dwellings require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they are marketed for sale or for rent Why do we need EPC’s? EPC’s have been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Buildings produce nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions. That’s almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. The EPC provides ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least, with the average to date being ‘D’. Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient. Despite what you may have read or heard in the media it is not compulsory to carry out any improvements as a result of the EPC. They merely provide recommendations. However, as energy prices are increasing almost daily by amounts that can make you choke these recommendations are becoming more and more pertinent. Let us give you two examples of recently produced EPC’s A brand new four bedroom detached house total area 153m2. Cost for heating, lighting and hot water – £528.00/yr. Co2 emitted 2.9 tonnes/yr
A two bedroom semi detached house built in 1850 total area 82m2. Cost for heating, lighting and hot water – £1018.00/yr. Co2 emitted 6.8 tonnes/yr Apart from the additional harm to the environment that’s twice as much money for a house half the size! By implementing the changes suggested in the EPC the second house could save £537.00/yr and reduce their Co2 emissions by 49% |