Energy Performance Certificates for Homes
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Energy Performance Certificates for Homes |
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From June 2007 houses will come with an energy
efficiency rating like the energy-rating labels found on cookers and fridges.
House sellers must provide buyers with an Energy
Performance Certificate (EPC) that gives a rating for
energy and environmental efficiency, as well as the homes running costs
(lighting, heating and hot water). The EPC will rate the property from
A to G and give details of the current average costs for heating,
hot water and lighting, as well as how to cut costs with energy-efficiency
measures. The Energy Savings Trust estimates that by
following the proposals in the EPC, the average homeowner will save £300 a year
on fuel bills. Government also believes that the information could be
used to support the growth of green mortgages and other incentives. The EPC forms part of the Home
Information Pack (HIP) that from next June all prospective homebuyers will be
able to see on properties for sale. There has been controversy over the HIP
since the government back-tracked on the Home Condition Report element of the
pack - which will now be voluntary as opposed to mandatory. However, the government says the
delivery of information on energy efficiency (and hopefully carbon emissions) is
a priority and will be included in the packs. LINKS More
on Home Information Packs: http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/ The Energy Saving Trust |
Action for Sustainable Living, St Wilfrid's Enterprise Centre, Royce Road, Hulme, , M15 5BJ.Email: [email protected] Tel: 0845 634 4510 Fax: 0870 167 4655. |