WHY WAIT UNTIL YOU MOVE? HOME EPCs CAN SHOW WHERE ENERGY SAVINGS CAN BE MADE
With households facing massive energy price rises this winter cutting down on energy consumption will be the only way to avoid the family budget reaching breaking point. The Heating Helpline points out that EPCs are a simple and relatively low cost way to find out how energy efficient your home is – so why wait until you move to get one done?
30 September 2011 – With households facing inflation-busting hikes of almost 20% for gas and around 10% for electricity, finding ways to cut down on energy use in the home may be the only way for many families to avoid real financial hardship this coming winter, especially if we get another spell of prolonged cold weather. The Heating Helpline advice service, operated by the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), suggests homeowners get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for their home as a simple and relatively low cost way to find out just how energy efficient – or otherwise – their property is.
EPCs are required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out and were introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings, saving energy and therefore money, and cutting the property’s carbon footprint. The EPC provides an energy rating for a property which is based on the performance potential of the building itself (the fabric) and its services (such as heating, ventilation and lighting). The energy rating given on the certificate reflects the intrinsic energy performance standard of the building relative to a benchmark which can then be used to make comparisons with comparable properties.
The certificate provides ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least, with the average up to now being ‘D’. Importantly, the EPC will also list energy saving recommendations to demonstrate how much more efficient the house could be and how you could save on your bills.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the HVCA, comments, “At present homeowners only think about EPCs if they sell their property – and they’re mandatory if the sale is to go ahead. But why wait until you move? The EPC will tell the homeowner exactly how energy efficient – or otherwise – a property really is.”
As EPCs also list energy saving recommendations to demonstrate how much more efficient the house could be and how you could save on your bills, they are in fact a relatively low cost way of seeing what steps can be taken to improve the energy efficiency of the property – cutting down on these exorbitant bills that families are now facing.
EPCs can only be provided by accredited energy assessors. Anyone undertaking the EPC must be affiliated with an accreditation scheme, as this ensures that the assessor is operating to approved, professional standards.
For details of accredited assessors in your area visit: http://ww.epcregister.com. For general advice on how to save energy in the home call the Heating Helpline on 0800 840 4069 or visit http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk.
Ends
Issued on behalf of the HVCA by Next Step Marketing Ltd
Media enquiries to: Heather Lambert
Tel: 44(0)1256 472020
Fax: 44(0)1256 471010
E-mail: heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk
Notes to Editors
Established in 1904, the HVCA is the premier organisation representing central heating contractors across the UK, and exists to promote fair dealing and the sound installation of heating systems. HVCA members all undergo third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability every three years. This process is carried out by an independent certification body with an established industry reputation. HVCA members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople. HVCA operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.
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