Conservation

Energy Performance Certificates for historic and traditional homes

From 10 September 2007 Home Information Packs are compulsory for all homes being sold which have three or more bedrooms and other homes are expected to be included within the next two years. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a mandatory feature of the Home Information Pack, which assesses the likely energy performance of homes. They rely on making generalised assumptions about all homes, using as their basis standard, usually modern, methods and materials of construction.

An EPC includes an overall energy efficiency rating and an environmental (CO₂) impact rating, an estimated energy use of the building, and recommended measures for improvement. However, care is required when interpreting an EPC for historic and traditional buildings because the energy efficiency information can be misleading or incorrect. More importantly, some of the recommended measures could be harmful to both the fabric and the character of the building.

For more information on the suitability of certain alterations to your property, and the need for statutory consents for their implementation, please contact the Design and Conservation Team. For further information on EPCs in historic and traditional homes, see the English Heritage Interim Guidance on the subject through the following link: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/upload/pdf/Energy-Performance-Certificates.pdf

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