When buying, selling, or renting a property in the UK, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a legal requirement. This certificate provides an official rating of your home’s energy efficiency, ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
A Domestic Energy Assessor carries out a thorough survey to determine this rating, collecting measurements, images, and details about your property’s energy use.
What Happens During an EPC Survey?
The assessor will need access to all areas of the property to carry out a comprehensive evaluation. They will:
- Measure the dimensions of each room and overall property size.
- Note any additions or alterations and sketch a floor plan.
- Examine insulation, heating systems, ventilation, and lighting.
- Check windows, doors, and construction type to determine heat retention.
The assessor uses this information to assign an energy efficiency rating and provide advice on how to improve your home’s performance.
Key Areas Assessed
Lighting
The assessor will check the type and number of light fixtures, including LEDs, CFLs, and fluorescent tubes. Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting can significantly reduce electricity usage.
Loft and Insulation
The loft is inspected to identify insulation levels, usually recommended at 270mm at the joists. The assessor may also check party walls and cavity insulation where relevant.
Windows and Doors
Single, double, or triple glazing is noted, as these features influence heat loss. Recommendations may include upgrading to more efficient windows to reduce energy costs.
Heating Systems
The assessor reviews your boiler, heat controls, thermostats, and radiator valves. Providing boiler documentation can speed up this part of the assessment.
Photographs and Measurements
Several photos are taken to support the assessment, showing interior and exterior areas. Measurements are recorded, and a floor plan is drafted to provide an accurate representation of the property.
Construction Details
The assessor may ask about:
- Property age and building materials.
- Any extensions or renovations.
- Type of insulation and heating technology.
- Meter types (single or dual electricity meters).
What You Receive After the Survey
Once the assessment is complete, you will receive your EPC, which includes:
- Basic property information.
- Assessment date and reference number.
- Energy efficiency rating..
- Recommendations for improving efficiency
The time required for an assessment depends on property size and accessibility, but it is generally quick and minimally disruptive.
Why EPCs Matter
EPCs help homeowners, buyers, and renters understand a property’s energy performance. They provide actionable guidance on reducing energy consumption, lowering bills, and improving comfort. For landlords and sellers, it ensures compliance with legal requirements.
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Schemes like ECO4 (which ends on 31 December 2026) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) (which closed on 31 March 2026) have funded insulation, heating system upgrades and other energy-saving measures.
If you want to improve your home’s energy efficiency and reduce energy costs, see the home energy grants you can still get.
People also asked...
If you’re independent and organized, this might be a lucrative career, and as you get more established, you can add to your skill set by training to become accredited as a Non-Domestic Assessor or an On Construction Domestic Assessor.
An EPC identifies energy inefficiencies that could become costly, as well as how much you can anticipate spending to correct them. However, EPCs should not be considered too seriously when purchasing a home.
If you are purchasing or refinancing a home with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A or B, you may be eligible for a Green Mortgage with a lower interest rate.
EPC’s must be completed by Energy Assessors or Home Inspectors who are accredited. You are responsible for ensuring that the individual you appoint is credentialed.
The only information the assessor looks for when observing a boiler is the model number and manufacturer. The assessor is not a certified gas engineer, so he or she will only take a few photographs and examine the boiler’s identification plate.
Useful Resources
- UK Government – Energy Performance of Buildings Certificates: notes and definitions
- EPC Home – The History Of The EPC
- Historic England – Energy Performance Certificates
- Elmhurt Energy – EPC’s explained
- Department for communities & local government – A guide to energy performance certificates for the marketing, sale and let of dwellings
Cost of Living Support Available:
- Household Support Fund (England)
- Cost of Living Payments
- Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
- Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
- Council Tax Reduction
Other Support Available: