Energy Performance Certificates described

The Energy Performance Certificate also referred as EPC shows the energy efficiency rating of a building or a property. The Energy Performance Certificate graphically highlights the energy efficiency rating pattern on a scale measuring A to G. Rating A indicates the most efficient energy performance. In contrast, G stands for the worst energy performance. Besides depicting the energy performance, EPCs also analyses the environmental impact of a building, affected by CO2 emissions.

The European Union Directive 2002/91/EC marked the way for EPCs. EPCs came into picture prompted by Kyoto Protocol, aimed to reduce energy consumption and counter carbon dioxide emission, which plays crucial role in worsening ecological balance. The Part 5 of the UK Housing Act 2004 has issued a directive, which makes it compulsory for all houses and buildings in UK to have EPCs by 2009.

The directive aims to reduce the huge energy consumption. The domestic consumption alone accounts for 40% of total UK's energy consumption. EPCs provide useful information to enhance the energy-efficiency of a property.

EPCs furnish important details about Energy Savings Trusts. The money saved could be utilized for other fruitful work. The lesser energy consumption results in lower carbon emissions. In short, EPC helps to save money, store energy and protect environment.

The Home Information Pack includes Energy Performance Certificate as 'required' document. The inclusion of EPC clearly reflects Government's concern for a greener housing market - to make every place a better place to live in. The introduction of EPC has facilitated the transaction of a building or home in a speedy and transparent way.

The well-informed buyers, courtesy to EPCs can take decision in a better way. Higher rating indicates better energy efficiency of the building or home, which in turn means lower energy consumption and less expenses. Good energy performance rating will prod many buyers.

The Energy Performance Certificates renders valuable message to bring down carbon emission and thus save valuable energy. Largely, EPCs have helped both the buyer and the seller. The seller feels more sanguine to quote a price and on the other hand, buyer can easily make out energy-efficient home. The higher rating homes will surely help buyer in the long run.

The European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings has asked all the member countries of the European Union to bring in EPCs. The EPCs have been aimed as a concrete step to lower the energy consumption and the same time to protect the environment, before it gets too late. After the issuance of such directive, the UK government showed swiftness in implementing it. Consequently, the sellers in UK must include EPCs in Home Information Packs.

The sellers willing to sell their property can get EPCs by taking the services of Home Inspectors directly. The other option is to approach Home Inspectors through their agents.

The Home Inspectors conducts a complete inquiry by gathering relevant information, before issuing a certificate. In addition, an accredited Energy Assessor may also issue the Energy Performance Certificate only after executing important checks.