Home Information Packs provide important information about the house you're buying or selling and they include a home energy rating and an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The EPC contains advice on how to cut the carbon emissions and fuel bills of the home.
The packs give homebuyers the essential information they need in order to make an informed decision, proceed with the purchase and reduce the risks of the terms having to be renegotiated due to later disclosure of information.
The Housing Act (2004) provides the legislation behind the Home Information Packs (HIP) and from 14th December 2007 all homes in England and Wales marketed for sale need a HIP.
Can I improve my energy rating and save money on fuel bills?
Yes. By making adjustments to your home's heating system, you can improve your energy rating.
If you replace an old boiler with a Baxi high efficiency boiler, you can:
- improve the EPC rating of your home
- reduce carbon emissions
- save on fuel bills
How does an energy performance rating work?
The ratings on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provide prospective buyers with an assessment of the property's energy consumption, together with a list of practical measures that can be taken to cut the fuel bills and carbon emissions of the home.
Energy efficiency and environmental impact are shown on a scale from A to G (where A is the most efficient and G is the least efficient).
When will I need an EPC?
The introduction of EPCs is planned to take place in stages, but by 2009, every building in the UK constructed, sold or rented must have an EPC in accordance with the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
| Measurement | Date from which an Energy Performance Certificate will be required |
| EPCs required on construction of all dwellings, EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2 | 6 April 2008 |
| EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2 | 1 July 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 | 1 October 2008 |
For further information visit the Communities and Local Government site, here.
