Energy Performance Certificates Glasgow

Energy Performance Certificates

Last updated

 

20 January 2020

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives information on how energy efficient a building is and how it could be improved.

You need an EPC when:

• applying for a completion certificate for a new building 
• selling a building 
• renting a building to a new tenant

If you sell or rent and you do not provide an EPC, or include the building's energy rating if advertising it, you could be fined a minimum of £500.

Exceptions

There are certain types of buildings that do not need an EPC. These are:

• standalone buildings (other than homes) with a useful floor area of less than 50 square metres
• temporary buildings which are planned to be used for 2 years or less
• buildings with a low energy demand (non-residential agricultural buildings or workshops)
• buildings sold to be demolished

Places of worship, listed and historic buildings need an EPC if sold or rented out in Scotland. Legislation about this is different in other parts of the UK. 

What's in an EPC?

The EPC shows:

• the building's 'energy efficiency rating', which gives you an idea of how much fuel bills are likely to be
• the building's 'environmental impact rating', which shows how much the building affects the environment with CO2 emissions

Both ratings are on a scale from A to G with A being the best. You're also given a 'potential' rating, which is the rating the building could reach if the suggested improvements were made.

It's the law in Scotland to have the EPC 'affixed' to the building, building standards guidance suggests in the boiler or meter cupboard.

Recommendations report

A 'recommendations report' is provided with an EPC. This gives: 

• more detailed information on the energy efficiency of the building
• how to improve it
• possible costs

Getting an EPC

If you need an EPC, contact a member of an 'approved organisation' (AO). These organisations have been chosen as their members have the skills and expertise needed to produce an EPC. They can make suitable recommendations for improving the building's energy efficiency. 

Find an approved organisation assessor

There is a searchable list of AO assessors who work in your area, which can be accessed on the Scottish EPC register. To check if your building already has an EPC, you can search the register by entering either the building's postcode or Report Reference Number (the 16 digit number shown on the top right hand corner of the certificate).

Updating an EPC

An EPC is valid for 10 years. When it expires you need to update an EPC for a new sale or tenancy. 

You may also want to update the EPC if you make improvements to the building. This is especially if you sell our rent the building after the improvements. This means potential buyers or tenants get the most up-to-date information