Buildings are responsible for nearly 40 per cent of the UK's total energy consumption. This has inevitably led to a requirement for buildings to be made more energy efficient

The EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2002/91/EC (EPBD), which promotes the improvement of the energy performance of buildings, is being implemented not only in the UK but also throughout Europe

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a key part of Northern Ireland’s EPBD strategy to reduce the 27 per cent of national carbon emissions that come from our homes.

An Energy Performance Certificate shows the official energy efficiency rating of a property. EPC’s will be required for dwellings when a home is sold, rented or built. There will be a phased introduction of the EPBD in Northern Ireland: EPCs for existing dwellings offered for sale: 30th June 2008 EPCs for newly constructed buildings 30th: September 2008 EPCs for dwellings offered for rent 30th: December 2008

After the 30th June 2008, for all existing homes that are to be sold, the building’s owner is responsible for ensuring an Energy Performance Certificate or EPC is available to all prospective purchasers

The Energy Performance Certificate should be shown, on request, to any prospective purchaser, and should in any case be provided by the owner to the ultimate purchaser before a contract for sale is made

Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes are in band A. This rating will be calculated using the Government-approved Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) software

A more energy efficient home will have a higher SAP rating, lower fuel bills and lower carbon dioxide emissions

The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The EPC includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment

Energy Performance Certificates can only be produced by a Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA), who has the necessary qualifications and is accredited under a government approved scheme

The Energy Performance Certificate Inspection

	The Domestic Energy assessor (DEA) will have a photo id card which he/she will present to you
	The inspection will last for around 1 hour depending on property size
	This will not be home condition survey or property valuation.
	The inspection will be non-invasive -no drilling, no panels removed, no disturbance to the fabric of your home
	Measurements of the exterior and interior of the home
	Visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the home
	Visual inspections of each of the rooms of the home The type of glazing in the windows The light fixtures The type of light bulbs Any fires
	A visual inspection of the heating system The boiler The hot water storage cylinder (if present) The systems controls
	A visual inspection of any fireplaces or secondary heating systems
	A visual inspection of the gas/electricity meters/oil/bulk gas tanks
	A visual inspection of the loft space
	An inspection of any other energy related products
	Basements and cellars will also be inspected if present)
	Corridors and adjacent stairwells of flats will also be inspected
	During the inspection it will be advisable to have any information or certificates available for any work done to the home. Also any information about the dwellings heating system, double glazing or insulation may help to improve your homes energy rating.
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