We are a Yorkshire company based in Scarborough working in partnership with DEA's  across Yorkshire.

Article 7 of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) on the energy performance of buildings (2002/91/EC) was published in January 2003. The Directive requires that a valid energy performance certificate be produced for all dwellings at the time of sale and an Energy Performance Certificate must be made available to the prospective buyer!† This will be a requirement from the 1st August 2007.

The UK should have ideally complied by this EU directive by January 2006, but no later than January 2009, as all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or rented out will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate, in accordance with the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

The first key milestone was when Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were introduced for the marketed sale of domestic homes, as part of the Home Information Pack. For more information on the timing of the introduction of HIPs, Please click on the link for Home Information Packs
The legislation for EPBD was laid in Parliament in March 2007, and will come into force in a phased manner as outlined in the table below.

6  April 2008	EPCs required on construction for all dwellings. EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 10,000 m2.
1 July 2008	EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 2,500 m2.
1 October 2008	EPCs required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings, other than dwellings. Display certificates required for all public buildings >1,000 m2.
4 January 2009	First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date*.
4 January 2011	First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date*.

The Government announced on 13 March 2008 transitional arrangements for buildings already on the market at 6 April. Any building which is on the market before then and remains on the market afterwards will need an EPC by 1 October at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as reasonably practicable. This is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords of large buildings to comply with the legislation. Similar provisions will apply for the introduction of EPCs on buildings over 2,500 m2 in July, expiring also on 1 October 2008. This responds to industry's expectations and is intended to ensure a smooth introduction on 6 April.

*Note - a system first put into service on or after 1 January 2008 must have a first inspection within 5 years of it first being put into service.


Nearly 40 per cent of the UK's energy consumption arises from the way in which our homes are heated and lit.  Even minor changes in energy performance will have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption - and The Energy Performance Certificate is part of these new measures to improve property efficiency this will include suggestions to improve the energy efficiency of the building, which can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers, and therefore reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is rated in terms of the energy used per square metre of floor area, energy efficiency based on fuel costs and environmental impact based on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The property will be awarded an energy efficiency rating, similar to that of a fridge/freezer (A to G). The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be. The EPC will also suggest energy efficiency improvements which, if followed could save hundreds of pounds every year in energy costs.

If you require any further information or an Energy Performance Certificate please click on the contact page, email your details or give us a call and we will arrange for one of our team to contact you.