An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

What the Report tells you

The report tells you about the energy efficiency of your property which is calculated by collecting information about the property which is then calculated using the UK Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) to give an energy rating.

The ratings take into account such elements as the property’s insulation, heating systems, hot water system, fixed lighting, ventilation, number of windows and related fuels.

Energy ratings are calculated using ’standard occupancy assumptions’.   Standard occupancy assumes that the house is heated for 9 hours a day during weekdays and 16 hours a day during weekends, with the living room heated to 21 degrees centigrade and the rest of the rooms to 18 degrees centigrade.

The ratings are assessed on a scale of 1 to 100, expressed in categories from A to G

The report also tells you about the property’s Environmental Impact Rating (from A to G) based on the Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Suggested Improvement Measures
Suggested improvement measures made in the report are designed to increase the energy efficiency of the property. It is the duty of the householder to check with an appropriately qualified contractor that any such measures can be implemented without detriment to other elements of the building. It is also the duty of the householder to ensure that any necessary Planning Permission, Building Regulations Approval or other permissions are obtained in advance of implementing any recommendations.

What the Report does not tell you
The Report does not provide a value for the property or cover areas that are more specifically considered when a valuation is provided such as the locality of the home or the availability of public transport or facilities.

The Report does not consider any defects that may have an effect on a buyer’s decision to purchase. It is not therefore in any way a survey of the condition or integrity of the property, its component parts or its services.
The Report does not cover any health and safety risks to people using or visiting the property.

Access
The Energy Assessor will require access to the following areas:

• Externally – the entire perimeter of the property
• Internally – all rooms including (but not limited to) basements/cellars and roof-spaces/lofts, Central Heating Boiler and Controls, other forms of heating, Gas/Electricity Meters, Hot Water Cylinder and fittings.

Please note, although reasonable skill and care will be taken during the energy assessment, we will not be responsible for any damage caused which is due to the normal operation of any fittings necessary to conduct the inspection. If there are any defective fittings please let us know in advance.

The Assessor is required to make comprehensive site notes during the visit. These are required in case of any future queries concerning the report. Site notes will include a small number of photographs of particular elements, such as the boiler for example.

To facilitate access on the day of the visit, please ensure that all pets are secured and any internal doors are unlocked. Please also open any loft hatch and extend the loft ladder if available.

In the event that the householder is not present at the property during the Assessors visit, the householder must ensure that a responsible person over the age of 16 is at the property during the inspection. However if the property is empty the Inspector will abide by any access/key arrangements and will take all reasonable care to secure the property both during and after the visit but cannot be held responsible for any loss or omission that may occur as a result.