Go Zero

The timetable for the staged introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all buildings has been published, with every building that is constructed, sold or let to require a certificate by October 2008. In addition, all public buildings operated by central or local government agencies will have to put their energy rating on display from April next year.
EPCs will make their UK appearance from June, when they will form part of the Home Information Packs that must be prepared ahead of house sales. They will resemble the familiar A-G energy rating certificates used for domestic appliances. However details of their wider introduction to satisfy the EU Energy Performance of Buildings directive had not been released until now.

The complete timetable for the introduction of EPCs in England and Wales is:
• 1 June 2007 – EPCs required for marketed sales of existing homes
• 1 October 2007 – EPCs required on construction of all new dwellings
• 1 January 2008 – Air conditioning inspections introduced
• 6 April 2008 – EPCs required for the sale or rent of non-dwellings of over 500 sqm; EPCs required for the construction of all non-dwellings; 'Display EPCs' required for public buildings of over 1000 sqm
• 1 October 2008 – EPCs required for domestic rental properties and other non-marketed residential sales.

EPCs required for the construction, rental or sale of all other non-dwellings.  The government said that the latest figures show that 3,000 domestic energy assessors are currently in training, with 1,000 Home Inspectors already in place. The emerging market price for a domestic EPC is around £100 with some of the larger companies that are gearing up to become HIP providers planning to offer EPCs for free, or on a no-sale-no-fee basis.

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