UK Requires Energy Performance Ratings Before Selling Your Home

Starting in June 2007, home buyers in England will be able to look at an energy performance certificate [EPC] for the property before they purchase it. The assessment will advise consumers on which energy measures - ranging from insulation to solar panels - could cut carbon emissions from their home and improve their energy rating.

The adoption of this program in the UK will put them out ahead of an EU directive requiring that all homes for sale should have energy certificates as of 2009 [see EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings].

Each home will receive an A to G grade for their home's energy efficiency and carbon emissions. The certificate will tell them current average costs for heating, hot water and lighting in their home as well as how to cut costs with energy efficiency measures. Below is a sample of a chart that will be included in the report [a complete sample report is available here.]

The EPC will include practical information about a range of economical measures that could be installed. It will also list measures to cut carbon emissions even further such as solar panels or wind turbines, where applicable.

More

• UK Department for Communities and Local Government has a section on the Home Information Packs (of which the EPC will be a partof)