Why have EPCs been introduced?

Back in 1990, as part of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU agreed to reduce emissions of a basket of 6 greenhouse gases by 12.5% below 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012.

It has been recognised by the EU that to meet their Kyoto commitments the most cost effective method is energy efficiency improvement. The EU Directive (2002/91/EC) on the energy performance of buildings sets out 5 main actions.

Three of these are:
1. Create a methodology to calculate the energy efficiency of buildings.
2. Apply minimum standards of energy efficiency.
3. Produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold.
For the sale of existing houses, the Government chose to make the EPC a mandatory part of the Home Information Pack (HIP).
For lettings it is a standalone document.

It is hoped that the information homeowners receive about the energy efficiency of their new homes will inspire them to make improvements both to reduce the CO2 emissions and to save themselves from potentially significant sums of money over the years through fuel cost savings.