Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) have been in existence in Scotland since 2008. These are similar to Energy Performance Certificates that are issued on new cars, and can be a valuable tool in showcasing how energy efficient your property is. The EPC can show how much energy is used in your property and how you can make improvements to improve your energy efficiency. This is important information for any landlord, or anyone looking to buy or rent a property. In order to obtain an EPC, you should contact an approved domestic energy assessor.
EPCs were first introduced in the Scottish Government’s “Energy Efficiency (Domestic Private Rented Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2008”. As part of the regulations, all properties in Scotland were required to have an EPC rating of at least ‘E’ by 31 March 2022. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. If a building is over a thousand square metres, it must have an “Action Plan” – which is a more comprehensive plan to improve its energy efficiency.
An EPC in Scotland can be quite complicated to get your head around at first, but they are actually quite simple. You can find out more about how EPCs work in this article. When you receive an EPC, it will provide you with a rough estimate of the total cost of running your property over a year. It will also show you the potential for savings over the long term.
If you’re interested in learning more about the EPC in Scotland, it is a good idea to speak to a professional. They will be able to offer advice and guidance to help you understand the landlord certificates various requirements. Getting an EPC will also ensure you have the most up-to-date information on your property, which could be crucial when selling or letting.
You will be able to locate an EPC in Scotland by searching the Scottish EPC register, which is available on the website of the Energy Saving Trust. You can search the register by postcode or by building type. Once you have the report reference number, you can click on the address of the property in question to access a full energy performance certificate.
You might also be interested in reading the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors’ article on the EPC. While the RICS has criticised the quality of EPCs, it still offers courseware manuals for domestic energy assessors.
A lot of effort is being put into making sure that the process for EPC ratings in Scotland is as efficient as possible. The main aim is to improve the EPC process so that it better reflects the built environment of Scotland. To this end, the Scottish Government has launched Energy Efficient Scotland. It aims to improve the energy efficiency of owner-occupied homes and commercial properties.
The Scottish Government continues to take steps to reduce carbon emissions. Their target is to cut carbon emissions by 66% by 2032. At the same time, they have taken a series of measures to make it easier for Scottish homes and businesses to achieve high energy efficiency standards. One of these is an initiative to make a minimum EPC rating for all new homes. Another is the requirement to have a Home Report.