Up to now holiday homes have been excluded from the need for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). However from 30th June 2011 new guidance regarding holiday lets takes effect. It states that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) must be obtained for all properties that are rented out as holiday lets. Whilst many landlords might resist the requirement to obtain an EPC they may also miss out on hidden benefits. I explain more.

Enforcement of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Those involved in the work needed under the Energy Performance in Buildings Regulations, such as Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and Display Energy Certificates (DECs), are concerned that the Regulations are being ignored.
As it is the role of Trading Standards Departments to ensure the Legislation is being adhered to Andrew Morphet, Managing Director of Synergy Property Services Ltd reflects upon how effective they are.

The COALITION parties have agreed to implement a full programme of measures to fulfil their joint ambitions for a low carbon, eco-friendly, and energy efficient economy. They have also agreed, subject to advice from the Climate Change Committee, to increase the energy target from renewable sources.

With the General Election now called for the 6th May, all the political parties are vying for our attention in the hope of capturing a few more votes with their populist polices; not least among them those concerning Climate Change and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) .

Perhaps someone should tell them to turn a few lights off!

Housing Minister John Healey recently announced a new Standard for the energy efficiency of zero carbon homes. The new Standard will cover energy demand for space heating and cooling.Synergy Property Services, with its extensive experience, is supporting and guiding efforts to design new, energy efficient homes.

It is now more than two years since Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) were introduced. EPCs not only show the energy efficiency of a property, the likely fuel costs and carbon dioxide emissions, but also give recommendations on how to improve the energy rating and deliver energy cost savings. Sceptics claim these are "worthless" but a recent survey by National Energy Services (NES) tells a very different story.

"Our experience with clients at Synergy, tells us that commercial buildings are generally in a far worse condition than homes and therefore present even bigger opportunities for saving costs and reducing emissions. As qualified Energy Assessors we already have the skills to help all landlords, agents, building owners and occupiers save money whilst staying on the right side of impending energy legislation." 

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive is designed to tackle climate change by reducing the amount of carbon produced by our buildings. But is it working?
Legislation is often unpopular and seen as an imposition, so the sad part is that the real benefit of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) which is the energy saving advice that comes with it is being missed.

At this year’s Party conferences, the Conservative and Labour Parties appear to have fallen into a wall cavity without insulation on the subject of energy.

For the second consecutive year no one at the Labour Conference uttered the words HIP or EPC. At the Conservative Conference, Grant Shapps restated his Party’s intention to scrap HIPs and their Policy Green Paper No10 – Strong Foundations states that EPCs should not get in the way of being able to market a property and therefore propose moving it to the end of the sale process.

The introduction of Commercial Energy Performance Certificates and Display Energy Certificates has seen incremental change in energy efficiency and CO2 reduction, but a fundamental change of mindset is required to hit the zero-carbon targets in place. All new homes and schools must be zero-carbon from 2016; all new public sector buildings from 2018.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a waste of time, money and worse, are actually responsible for increasing the carbon emissions in the UK! Such a stinging statement will surely come as a blow to the Government who have launched the requirement for EPCs as dictated by European legislation.

A second piece of legislation under the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) is currently in Consultation and is expected to be published in the autumn and put into force in 2010.
If you are a private company or public private partnership; you might think “so what, commercial energy assessments don’t affect me!”
If you are a Public Body; you might think you have got all the energy performance certificates you need.
In both cases you would be wrong!