By Calum Allmond, Head of Architectural Services

In the same way that Home Reports have become an accepted part of the residential property market, so has the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) as a fundamental tool in the assessment of a building’s essential worth.

The EPC provides a color-coded and clear rating of a property’s energy usage and its carbon dioxide emissions and, alongside the Home Report, offers advice on how to reduce carbon footprint, improve the rating – and save money.

In these energy-conscious and – for many people – cash-strapped times, home buyers are turning to the EPC in the first instance to get an immediate snapshot of what their utility bills might look like.

The legislative reasons for instructing an EPC are limited and can be summed up as Selling, Renting, or Building. In all cases, the certificate must be in place before a move is made.

So, before you consider putting a property on the market, letting a home out as a private landlord, or re-mortgaging, the energy usage must be assessed according to an agreed set of parameters.

Aside from these regulatory requirements, the EPC can also be of considerable worth offering valuable guidance on where improvements can be made both on emissions and on costs.

For instance, many are looking to home improvements, such as extensions, as an alternative to moving home and an EPC can point the way towards the type of improvement indicating the best value for money.

It is also worth re-certificating post-improvement, so any upgrades are reflected on the EPC, and a new certificate should be a part of a retrofit assessment.

These certificates can be part of deciding factors in a grant scheme approval and if a certificate has expired – it is currently valid for 10 years – an up-to-date EPC will better reflect current fuel generation practices and costs.

So, it is fair to say the EPC has, over the years, focused people’s thinking about the profligacy of our energy use, and it is worth considering other ways of moving the little green arrows of current and potential consumption from G up towards A.

The Energy Saving Trust, which holds the public register of EPCs has a wealth of information about how to cut down on our personal impact on the future of the planet, but it also has some snappy, quick fixes for homeowners:

• Take back control of the thermostat. By working out when you do and don’t need to heat the property, it is possible to dramatically reduce wastage.
• Wrap it up. Purchasing and tightly fitting an insulation jacket to a hot water storage tank can keep the water hotter for longer and uses less energy.
• Keep it in. Gaps around older windows are an easy route for warm air to escape. Seal those gaps.
• Have a light bulb idea. LED bulbs use significantly less power to produce the same light level as old tungsten bulbs, and they are a simple like-for-like swap.
• Seek the Eco. Many appliances such as white goods have an eco-mode, and you can save considerably by switching TVs and computers off rather than using standby mode.
• Draw the curtains. Heavy curtains prevent heat loss through glass, especially on large windows or patio doors.

Other energy-saving routes may require professional help, such as installing loft and wall insulation, replacing your boiler, and installing solar panels. Purchasing efficient white goods – all new appliances have energy ratings – will also contribute to your energy reduction.

Many energy providers will now supply a smart meter, which allows you to actively track energy usage and identify energy-intensive activities.

It is worth the effort – for the planet as well as your pocket.