EPC-Wales

EPC is short for Energy Performance Certificate. An Energy Performance Certificate is a 4 page document produced after an Energy Performance Assessment has been carried out on a property, by a fully qualified Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA).

An Energy Performance Certificate is a statutory document.

The EPC will show the Energy Performance rating of the property. The rating will be between 1 and 100.

1 is the least energy efficient and 100 is the most energy efficient (some of the houses being built today are ultra energy efficient and score 100+)

The rating “Bands” are as follows
92 -100 = A
81 – 91 = B
69 – 80 = C
55 – 68 = D
39 – 54 = E
21 – 38 = F
1 – 20 = G

1 is the least energy efficient and 100 is the most energy efficient (some of the houses being built today are ultra energy efficient and score 100+)

The EPC will be lodged on the Energy Performance Certificate Register, which is a searchable public register that can be found here.

The EPC  also shows details about each element of the property such as Walls, Loft, Heating System, Windows etc.., and it will also list any recommended improvements to the property that would increase the property’s energy efficiency.

Yes, an EPC is a legally required document for selling a property in Wales.

However, if it is a private sale, i.e. that is not being marketed, then an EPC is not legally required.

All interested parties must be provided with an Energy Performance Assessment at the earliest opportunity. A copy of the Energy Performance Certificate must be provided to the person who takes up the tenancy, or the successful buyer.

Yes, an EPC is a legally required document to rent out a property in Wales.

Properties must have at least an E rated Energy Performance Certificate, to be privately let out.

“Buy to Let” lenders will normally want to see a copy of the EPC (with a minimum E rating) before they will make an offer of a mortgage.

It is proposed that the requirement for an E rating will be increased to a C rating by 2026 or 2028.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards cover the regulations relating to renting out properties.

All interested parties must be provided with an Energy Performance Assessment at the earliest opportunity. A copy of the Energy Performance Certificate must be provided to the person who takes up the tenancy, or the successful buyer.

An Energy Performance Certificate lasts for 10 years.

However, there are discussions taking place to change this. One of the proposals is that A, B & C rated would continue to last 10 years, but D, E, F & G would only last for 5 years.

An Energy Performance Assessment will take on average about 40 minutes – this is the data collection part of producing an EPC.

During the Energy Performance Assessment the Domestic Energy Assessor will collect the following data

The year the property was built
Make and model of the boiler and the type of flue and fuel used
Type of heating system used and controls
Walls and roof construction
Signs of retro fit cavity wall insulation
Type of double glazed windows and when installed
Number of open fireplaces
Number of low energy light bulbs
Type of heating controls used
Depth of loft insulation
Measure the thickness of the hot water cylinder jacket or foam – if present
Note the number of habitable rooms that are heated
Measure the internal or external areas of the home
Energy saving “green” devices (such as solar panels, for instance)
Produce a floor plan

The collected data is inputted into Government approved software to produce the Energy Performance Assessment.