It’s a common misconception that an EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a legal requirement when selling a house in the UK. However, this document is not actually required by law-though it is highly recommended that you have one prepared before putting your house on the market.
An EPC will provide potential buyers with information about the energy efficiency of your home, and may help to attract more buyers in today’s market where energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important. So, while an EPC is not technically required, it’s definitely in your best interest to get one before selling your home.
How to improve your home’s energy efficiency?
You can improve your home’s energy efficiency by making some simple changes. For example, you can:
- Install energy efficient windows and doors
- Weatherize your home
- Use energy efficient appliances
- Add insulation to your home
- Replace your old furnace or air conditioner with a more energy efficient model
By making these changes, you can save money on your energy bills and help reduce your home’s carbon footprint.
The benefits of having an EPC
The benefits of having an EPC are many and varied. One of the most important is that it can help to improve the energy efficiency of a property. By making a few simple improvements, an EPC Register Renfrew can help to make a big difference to both your energy bills and your carbon footprint.
Another great benefit of having an EPC is that it can help to increase the value of your property. An energy-efficient property is always going to be more attractive to potential buyers than one that is not.
And, if you ever decide to sell your property, an EPC can help to speed up the process by providing all the necessary information about your property’s energy performance.
Finally, having an EPC can also help to make your property more attractive to potential tenants. With rising energy prices, more and more people are looking for properties that have good energy performance.
An EPC can show potential tenants that your property is well-insulated and has low energy bills, making it a more appealing option for them.
Is an EPC required by UK law?
No, an EPC is not required by UK law. However, if you are planning to sell or rent your property, an EPC Register Glasgow must be obtained in order to provide potential buyers or tenants with information about the energy performance of the property. An EPC can also be useful for identifying ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
What happens if you don’t have an EPC?
If you’re selling or renting your home, you’ll need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC assesses the energy efficiency of a property and gives it an energy rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The certificate also contains recommendations on how to improve the property’s energy efficiency.
If you don’t have an EPC, you could be fined up to £5,000. You also won’t be able to sell or rent your property until you get one.
You can get an EPC from a qualified assessor. The cost of an EPC Register Glasgow on the size and type of your property. An EPC for a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home costs around £60.
If you’re thinking of improving your property’s energy efficiency, an EPC can help you find out which measures are most likely to be cost-effective. For example, the certificate might recommend installing insulation or double glazing.
You don’t need an EPC if you’re selling or renting your property to a family member. You also don’t need one if you’re demolishing your property or getting planning permission to make major changes that would affect the energy rating.
What are the current EPC regulations?
The European Parliament and the Council have adopted a new set of rules on the energy performance of buildings, which will come into force on 9 July 2020. The Directive (EU) 2018/844 amending Directive 2010/31/EU establishes a common EU framework for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings.
The directive includes several measures to improve the energy performance of buildings and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. It will also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the security of energy supply in the EU.
The directive sets out new requirements for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings, including:
- The introduction of a mandatory asset rating for all buildings;
- The use of a common methodology for the calculation of energy performance;
- The inclusion of additional indicators in the energy performance certificate, such as carbon dioxide emissions and primary energy consumption;
- The extension of the scope of the directive to buildings owned by public authorities;
- The obligation to carry out regular energy audits.
Conclusion
Although an EPC isn’t a legal requirement when selling your house in the UK, it is still highly recommend that you commission one. Not only will this help to improve your home’s energy efficiency and make it more appealing to potential buyers, but it can also save you money in the long run.
If you’re looking for ways to increase your home’s value without breaking the bank, then making sure it has an up-to-date EPC is a great place to start. Have you had an EPC done on your property? What were your findings?