Stephen Callaghan, director of energy-assessors.com, commented: “Low energy ratings on homes, when Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) come into effect on 1 June, will raise awareness with the buyer and encourage them to save money on their energy bills by making one or more of the recommended improvements. When they come to sell, a potential buyer will be far more aware of energy issues and will probably choose their property over another similar one which does not benefit from, say, double-glazing or adequate loft insulation.
“For a cost of just £130 - £140, an EPC will provide a full energy report on the individual property with recommendations for improvement along with cost breakdowns, making it easy for the new homeowner to see how their own finances will benefit from improvements along with the environmental performance of their home.
“Currently, most of our housing stock is energy inefficient, but unless we take steps to raise awareness of the issue, which the EPC will do, the UK will not be successful in significantly reducing its carbon emissions.”
