Whether you are moving home or simply trying to cut your energy consumption, this is for you.
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
Similar to appliance efficiency ratings seen on fridges and freezers, Energy Performance Certificates will provide prospective purchasers with an assessment of the property's energy consumption rating, together with a list of practical measures that can be taken to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions.
Unlike other Providers that have multi layers to provide you with your HIP, Green Homes was established with you the home owner in mind, to keep initial cost to a minimum and leave the control of the sale of your property firmly in your hands. With Green Homes you are instructing your EPC/HIP direct.
With this in mind, our main interests lies with the Energy Performance certificates (EPC’s) and Home Condition Reports (HCR’s).
Level of service
1. To provide certificates fast and efficiently
2. On your instruction we can forward copies of the certificate to your chosen Estate Agent and/or Conveyancer 3. Our Domestic Energy assessors will undergo rigorous selection to ensure appropriate qualifications, professionalism, quality, accuracy and trustworthiness whilst in your home
4. The company will be registered with an appropriate accreditation/certification body, who will oversee the continued learning, approval and regulation of our assessors and have adjudicating powers in any complaints procedures
5. Once employed by you, you have the comfort of knowing your report is covered by our professional indemnity insurance, giving you peace of mind for the future and that our assessors are covered under our public liability insurance whilst attending your property
Instructing your EPC
There are various ways of organising your EPC. Ask your estate agent/solicitor to instruct Green Homes on your behalf or you can contact our local office direct to book your inspection, where a member of staff will be pleased to take your instruction and book an appointment immediately.
Pre-inspection
Where possible to ensure accuracy and avoid delays you will be asked to answer a number of pre-inspection enquiries which will assist the assessor with the inspection.
Payments can be made over the phone by credit or debit card with Green Homes at the point of booking the inspection.
The Inspection
It is preferable to have the homeowner in at the time of inspection, however, if this is not possible you will need to notify our staff when booking inspection so that we can organise key collection with you or your agent. If there will be anyone else at the property we will also need to know this at time of booking your inspection. We will not enter a property if children or dogs are unsupervised at home.
Certificates
These can be sent to you either by post or electronically.
Inspection questions may include:-
1. Age of property
2. No. of extensions
3. Room in roof
4. What is the main heat source for your property?
5. To provide the manual for your heating system
6. Do you have a hot water cylinder?
7. To make sure you give free access to all heating systems and electricity meters
8. To have any relevant information about insulation improvements readily available i.e. cavity wall insulation or loft insulation
9. Does the property have gas?
10. If no, is there gas in your street?
11. Does the property have an additional off peak electricity supply?
12. What type of construction do you think the property is?
13. Are there any additional buildings that are heated/habitable on your property? i.e. converted garage or barn?
The survey
The Inspection will focus on:
Main Property - Type, age of build, extensions, room in roof
Insulation - Walls, roof, floors
Heating systems - Type, age, efficiency, thermostats & controls
Hot water system - Type, age, insulation, thermostats & controls
Fixed Lighting - Number of low energy light bulbs in fittings
Windows - Number, type, age, double glazed
Energy Sources - Gas, electric, coal, oil, solar, wind, ground source, etc
Heat Loss Perimeter - Outside walls and sheltered walls
Extensions - Number of, date of build, addition of insulation
Room in Roof - Floor area, date built
Conservatories - are they separated from the main dwelling by external doors?
Roof construction - Flat/pitched
Walls - Type of construction, alternative construction
Could you save £268 PA*
Over recent months we have carried out a number of Energy Performance surveys on various types of residential property. We have been astonished by the results and financial savings the average household could achieve after implementing the recommendations on the report. If Green Homes cannot save money from your household fuel consumption after carrying out an EPC on your property we will refund the price of the EPC.**
* This figure was achieved by taking an average of the EPC reports carried out up to 27th July 2007 by Green Homes. Meaning your saving could be more or less.
** Refund only available to properties carrying out an EPC on a voluntary basis, the offer does not include mandatory properties about to be marketed for sale. Promotion for the month of August 2007.
*** Depending on the timescale you may not need a HIP if your property does not meet the mandatory criteria. However Green Homes will notify you of your obligations at point of contact.
Asset Ratings Graphs showing energy rating of homes, which can be included in particulars The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be. The environmental impact rating is a measure of a home’s impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The higher the rating the less impact it has on the environment.