The government has just released its public consultation on the reforms to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). The consultation focuses on changes to EPCs in England and Wales with the aim being to make EPCs more useful and accessible, helping property owners understand energy performance and identify ways to reduce their energy costs and carbon emissions. The aim is also to future-proof EPCs, ensuring they support the UK’s energy and environmental goals
The consultation invites feedback on revisions to the Energy Performance of Buildings framework for England and Wales. It covers potential updates to Domestic and Non-Domestic EPCs, as well as related documents like Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for public buildings and Air Conditioning Inspection Reports (ACIRs).
A key focus of the consultation is improving the design of EPC’s and metrics for end users. Currently, domestic EPCs use a single metric an A-G rating based on energy costs, whilst non-domestic EPCs use a different single metric A+-G rating that shows the environmental impact rating of a building based on its carbon emissions. To address this, the government is proposing using multiple metrics on EPCs to provide a more complete representation of building energy performance – these include:
- Energy cost: helping individuals understand the financial implications of a building’s energy efficiency and make informed decisions about potential improvements
- Carbon: an estimate of the carbon emissions arising from the energy used in the building
- Energy use: offering insights into overall energy consumption and identifying areas for energy efficiency improvements
- Fabric performance: assessing the thermal performance of a building’s envelope and promoting the importance of well-insulated, comfortable, and energy-efficient spaces
- Heating system: providing information on the efficiency and environmental impact of a building’s heating source and encouraging the adoption of cleaner heating technologies
- Smart readiness: assessing a building’s potential to integrate smart technologies that can optimise energy consumption and the ability of consumers to benefit from cheaper smart tariffs
The consultation also explores incorporating new metrics, such as biodiversity, occupant health and wellbeing, climate resilience, and water efficiency.
The government is also considering reducing the validity period for EPCs (currently 10 years), presenting options ranging from less than two years to the current duration of 10 years. In addition to this, the proposals also include expanding EPC requirements, for example mandating new EPCs for private landlords once the current one expires.
Several other changes are being proposed as part of the consultation including tightening the training process for energy assessors, making changes to the format of Air Conditioning Inspection Reports, and various other tweaks aimed at improving the overall EPC experience.
The consultation runs from December 4, 2024, to February 26, 2025. Following the reviewing of any responses to this, the government aims to release an initial statement within 12 weeks. Updated Energy Performance of Building Regulations (EPBR) are expected in early 2026, with changes to EPC metrics likely introduced in late 2026.