The Energy Performance Certificate And The New Homeowner
Dom Donaldson is an energy expert.
Find out more about an Energy Performance Certificate at http://www.nationalenergyrating.co.uk
Now that the financial markets are improving, it looks like the housing crisis might be coming to an end. It is getting easier to secure a mortgage, and it looks like the next few months will be a buyers’ market in the UK. We take a look at the new style Home Information Pack and the inclusion of the Energy Performance Certificate to take the confusion out of the essential paperwork that is handed over at the point of sale.
A Home Information Pack contains all the information and legal documents that relate to the sale and condition of a house. This will include deeds, plans, statement of sale, property information and an Energy Performance Certificate. The latter is a new feature of the Home Information Pack, and was introduced to help property owners become more aware of the energy efficiency of their home.
The UK Government want people to use energy more efficiently as part of a wider range of measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. This is in a response to the threat of catastrophic global climate change that is being caused by burning fossil fuels to provide energy. Energy Performance Certificates are given after an energy audit professional has assessed the energy a building uses.
Depending on how well insulated a property is, whether any of the energy is provided from sustainable sources and whether double glazing has been installed, a score will be given between A and G. A is the highest score to get, but generally speaking, the majority of homes in the UK fall into the D category. In Europe, the score is higher, but this may be due to less money being spent on heating over the year, which will in turn affect the rating.
When purchasing a house, the information on the Energy Performance Certificate will tell you how energy efficient the property is and it will also have recommendations for making improvements. This can include insulating a loft area, installing a more energy efficient boiler and turning off electrical equipment rather than leaving them on standby.
The Energy Performance Certificate is a document that has to be included in the Home Information Pack by law. The aim of the certificate and all the other information included in the pack is to make it clear what state the property is in to potential buyers in plain English without relying on feedback from a surveyor.
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