Frequently Asked Questions

I have never needed an EPC before, what is it?

In brief, an EPC is a legal requirement for selling or renting your property. More detailed information is available on this site, and you can select and combine from the following fact sheets. Choose from:  Overview of the EPC, what is an EPC,  what is an EPC Assessor and recent changes to the EPC. 

I am told that I need a EPC

I suggest that you always check for yourself. Look here. If an EPC has not been registered against your address or has expired, then you need to arrange one. 

If your address is on the EPC register, then look at other questions and answers on this page that may help you.

I can see that my EPC was done in 2017, do I need a new EPC

An EPC lasts for 10 years, so at first glance, the answer is no. However, if you have made significant upgrades to your home since the last EPC was produced, such as changing the heating system, building an extension, or adding insulation, you may need a new EPC. 

An example would be if you changed your heating from a Gas boiler to a Heat Pump central heating. If a potential house buyer saw that your EPC described a Gas boiler, it would confuse the buyer and raise questions. It would be beneficial to show a potential buyer the improvement that you have made.     

How do you prepare before coming to me?

There are several things an EPC Assessor does before visiting the customer. 

  • Look up any old EPCs
  • Look up the address on Google Maps.
  • Check for planning applications with the Local Authority.
  • Use a programme like the National Library of Scotland's Old Maps to determine the age of older buildings up to the 1960s.
  • Check Rightmove to see if the property has been put onto the market

 

Do we have to buy my EPC through an Estate Agent

No, you can buy your EPC from any Accredited Domestic Energy Assessor. Going directly to an Assessor may be less expensive.

You can go to the EPC panels. They are typically placed at the top of internet searches and offer cheap EPCs.

By contracting CP Energy Assessment, you will be contracting with someone who has significant local knowledge (17 years), as well as transparency and accountability, since I am a resident. You know who is coming at the time of booking

How long will it take to complete the EPC Assessment

This depends on the size and complexity of the dwelling being assessed. Assessing a one— or two-bedroom house or flat can take as little as 30 minutes. Assessing a large, six-bedroom dwelling with numerous extensions can take up to 2 hours. When you book the EPC, I will review your dwelling online and provide you with a more accurate estimate of how long the Assessment will take.

My loft is fully boarded, but there is 100mm of insulation under the boarding

EPC Assessors are not allowed to include anything verbally from customers unless there is supporting evidence. This evidence would consist of photos and/ or documentation. If an Assessor cannot see what is under the loft's boards, then loft insulation will be recorded as being "unknown".  The software will then assume that the insulation will be the same as when the building was initially built.  

Another example would be an owner saying there is cavity wall insulation, but all an Assessor can see is a recently rendered external wall. A certificate showing that the dwelling has had retro insulation installed in the cavity, along with photos showing the cavity drill holes before and after the render installation, would be ideal. 

Please note that all descriptions on the EPC, including the highlighted areas between 'Very Good' and 'Very Poor', are descriptions set by the software and not an opinion of the Assessor.

My EPC was done 12 years ago. It's expired, but will the new EPC give the same rating?

The accuracy of the EPC has advanced significantly since your last EPC was conducted in 2013. The new software RdSAP vs. 10 is more accurate regarding heat loss surfaces and heating. Over the past 12 years, you may have improved your property by adding an extension, changing the heating system, installing new windows,  or increasing loft or wall insulation. These measures may impact the EPC description and rating. It is not guaranteed that changes increase the EPC rating. The rating may go down. 

What can I do to help your assessment (home buyer)

We all want the EPC to be as accurate as possible, and in this respect, the homeowner can greatly assist by having any relevant documents readily available. These include certificates or invoices for new heating systems, cavity wall insulation, windows, external wall insulation, and loft room insulation, as well as MCS certificates for Solar Panels and Heat Pumps. Building Regulation sign-offs for extensions and loft conversions.

The Assessor must be able to access all rooms, including access to windows, heating and lighting. 

Do you have to take photos

Why is my neighbours EPC rating better than mine. 

More information is available here; briefly, several factors influence the EPC rating. As with any new extension, heating and insulation will affect the EPC rating. Availability of, or lack of, documentation.  Access to the loft hatch and to see/ measure the loft insulation can be very different from one house to another.

My Hot Water Cylinder and/or Boiler are boxed in, so the Assessor cannot see it.

For a hot water cylinder, as long as the Assessor has access to the property's system boiler, and you show them the boxed area, the Assessor can enter cylinder no access. Unfortunately, if the Boiler is boxed in and no access, the Assessor, under the rules, cannot continue with the Assessment. Please discuss with the Assessor at the time of booking.

Yes, the assessor will need to provide evidence for most data entries. For example, if you live in a detached house, the Assessor needs to show a photo of your home to confirm that it is indeed detached. If the assessor records that your loft has 300mm of loft insulation, they must be able to provide evidence via photos showing that your house has 300mm of loft insulation.

If there is a document in support of a data entry then the Assessor will take a photo of the document and it must show the building address. 

I am not happy with the EPC provided.

The Assessor's contact details are towards the end of the EPC. All Assessors have a complaint procedure. First, consult with the assessor, and if the complaint remains unresolved, proceed to the next point of contact, which may be the accreditation body. The accreditation body's contact details are also listed at the end of the EPC certificate.