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Energy Performance Certificates

Energy Performance Certificates are essential for any homeowner. Read our guide to find out what they are and how they can save you money.

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What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

First introduced in 2007, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a four-page legal document that measures the energy efficiency of a property. The certificate rates a property’s efficiency using a scale of A to G, with A being the most efficient.


An EPC is required whenever a property is built, sold or rented. Once your property has been assessed and the EPC has been obtained, it remains valid for ten years. 

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What does an EPC contain?

Once your property has been assessed, the EPC will provide you with energy efficiency information about your property. This information is split into four sections:

The ratings: What do they mean?

Your Energy Performance Certificate is calculated based on the government’s Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP). Your home will be given a numerical value from 1 to 100. These scores are then divided into bands and this determines the energy-efficiency of your property. The higher your energy-efficiency rating (EER), the more efficient your home is and the less it will cost you to run it. 
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Save money by buying new

New homes are considerably more energy-efficient than older properties. In fact, 85% of new build homes were rated A or B for energy performance, while just 4% of existing properties reached the same standards.*

A higher EPC rating results in lower household bills and, with rising energy costs, this is an important aspect to consider when buying a new home. Buyers of a new build home will save an average £2,200 a year in energy bills.*
Energy efficient new homes

How much money can I save With a new build?

Data from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found that on average, buyers of a new build house will save on average around £2,200 a year in energy bills. New build homes significantly reduce households’ energy usage, with the average new home using approximately 105kWh per m2 per year compared with older properties which require an average of 248kWh per m2.*

The average new build homebuyer saves an average more than £1,600 a year. These savings rise to £2,200 a year when looking at new and old houses alone, rather than smaller properties such as flats or bungalows.*

 
Taylor Wimpey Staff

What else could you do to improve your EPC?

 

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*Source: HBF Report - Watt a Save Report July 2023