Energy News

Brits “ignoring” Energy Performance Certificates

Wednesday 2 March, 2011

By Dominic Welling dominic.welling@consumerchoices.co.uk

Energy Performance Certificates are failing to help Brits be more energy-conscious and are being ignored by homebuyers, according to new research.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are having no influence on homebuyers and are failing to help cut energy emissions, according to new research from Consumer Focus.

EPCs should help people choose a more energy-efficient house and, in turn, cut their energy bills.

Liz Lainé, energy expert at Consumer Focus, said: “Our survey shows that energy efficiency can influence people when choosing a new home. But the information in the EPC is not helping people act on those concerns.

“These certificates must become a trigger for action, not just a sheet at the bottom of a huge pile of home-buying paperwork.”

Consumer Focus found only one in five people who saw an EPC before buying or renting said that they paid it any attention and that it had any influence on their decision to buy or rent the property.

Consumer Focus has called for the EPC to be changed to make it clearer how much money people can save by carrying out the suggested energy efficiency measures.

Lainé added: “If prospective buyers and tenants could easily compare how much their energy bills are likely to be in different properties, they could negotiate a price based on their new home's energy efficiency.”

Consumer Focus has advised prospective home buyers and tenants to:

• Use the EPC to see how much they could save - energy performance certificates include a list of improvements from which a property would benefit. Consumers can get more information from organisations like the Energy Saving Trust on costs, savings and access to grants or other assistance available in their area.

• Use the EPC to negotiate on price - the worse the energy rating of a home, the more it will cost to heat. Wherever possible, consumers should take this into account when choosing a home and use this as a bargaining tool to get a better deal.
• Report people selling or renting property without an EPC - Landlords and sellers who do not supply an EPC are breaking the law and are liable to a penalty charge. Consumers should report them to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.