| Every property should have an Energy | | | | Home Information Pack (HIP). As incorporated in |
| Performance Certificate (EPC), which depicts the | | | | HIP as a form of Governmental attempt to |
| environmental impact of the building, that is, | | | | provide a complete support to a greener housing |
| carbon dioxide emission. Actually, EPC shows the | | | | market, the EPCs have immensely shouldered the |
| energy efficiency rating of a building. | | | | selling and buying procedures trying to make the |
| European Union Directive 2002/91/EC first came | | | | process more speedy and lucid where nothing |
| with the idea of EPCs. However, the Kyoto | | | | remains behind the curtain. |
| Protocol was the main inspiration. The objective | | | | You tend to make wrong decisions mostly when |
| behind this innovative initiative was to cut back on | | | | you are ignorant. EPCs will not give you a scope |
| energy consumption and environmental | | | | for that because they are always prepared with |
| degradation due to CO2 emission. As per the rules | | | | lots of information, which you can consider while |
| incorporated in Part 5 of the UK Housing Act | | | | making a decision. In reality, when the rating is |
| 2004, all houses and buildings in United Kingdom, | | | | better the energy efficiency of the property |
| are required to install EPCs by 2009. | | | | becomes higher resulting in low fuel bills. When |
| The purpose is to reveal, how safe the | | | | energy consumption is reduced, expenses are |
| construction is for the surrounding environment | | | | bound to be less and this significantly benefits the |
| and those residing in the building. The EPC rating is | | | | climate too. Under such circumstances, more |
| presented in a graphical representation, on a scale | | | | buyers are gaining interest in buying properties |
| from A to G. Here, 'A' represents most efficient | | | | having decent energy performance ratings. |
| energy performance and 'G' represents the least | | | | Property sellers have learned to increase their |
| efficient energy performance. | | | | reliability via the EPC's advises on curbing carbon |
| In UK, 40% of energy consumption is the | | | | emissions and saving energy. Buyers on the other |
| outcome of domestic uses - such as | | | | hand are also happy to make their new homes |
| air-conditioning, lighting, heating and other | | | | bio-friendly and energy-efficient. |
| household purposes. The implementation of the | | | | The European Directive for the Energy |
| plan of setting EPCs will be a crucial step in curbing | | | | Performance of Buildings has directed all the |
| massive consumption. EPC serves the function of | | | | European Union member countries to introduce |
| estimating energy efficiency and at the same | | | | EPCs for curtailing energy wastage and unsafe |
| time save energy efficiency of a building/home. | | | | ecological outcomes. Following the directive of the |
| EPCs provide all necessary information regarding | | | | UK Government, EPCs are to be submitted by |
| Energy Savings Trust, which comes to the benefit | | | | sellers as an integral part of Home Information |
| of house property owners in several ways. The | | | | Packs. |
| Energy Savings Trust provides the owners with | | | | Property-owners wanting to sell their properties |
| special grants or discounts so that they can | | | | can get the EPCs by approaching the Home |
| accomplish essential improvement works. | | | | Inspectors through their agents or by directly |
| Once the energy consumption is reduced, the | | | | seeking their services. Home Inspectors carefully |
| amount of carbon dioxide being emitted is | | | | inspects the property and its many assets |
| automatically curbed. This is a fantastic way by | | | | (fittings, fixtures, etc.) for the collection of |
| which EPCs not only help to restore money and | | | | relevant data required to issue the energy |
| energy but also makes a successful contribution in | | | | performance certificate. The EPC can also be |
| building an all improved healthy environment. | | | | issued by an Accredited Energy Assessor after |
| Nothing is more important and essential than an | | | | he/she checks the property. |
| Energy Performance Certificate included in a | | | | |