Consultation on EPC Reform Begins

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10 December 2024

The government has begun its consultation on reforming the energy performance of buildings in the UK.

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Established in 2021, current Energy Performance of Buildings (EPC) ratings were enforced to provide information on the current performance of different building elements. To ensure that the policy continues to be fit for purpose, the new consultation aims to bring it up to date with new regulations, technological advancements, and modern energy efficiency standards.

Why is the Current EPC System Flawed?

EPCs for commercial buildings are based on Environmental Impact Ratings (EIR), which are modelled on carbon dioxide emissions per square metre. Physical inspections are made of a property, or drawings or specifications are examined and an A+-G rating is given alongside recommended retrofit measures to improve the rating. 

The government says that the EIR can distort the view of a building’s energy performance in the context of grid decarbonisation. A building may see an improvement in its EIR rating as the carbon-intensity of electricity generation falls towards zero, even if no action has been taken to improve its performance. It is therefore too reliant on factors beyond the building owner’s control: energy costs and the carbon intensity of the grid.

What are the Proposed Reforms?

Proposed changes aim to introduce mandatory inspections for heating systems with outputs above a certain level, similar to air-conditioning inspections, to evaluate energy efficiency and suggest improvements. Inspection thresholds for air conditioning systems are also recommended to be reformed, due to low compliance

The reforms also include significant enhancements to the accessibility of EPC data. A dedicated system for property agents is being proposed, allowing them to retrieve EPCs directly from the national register.  This service will ensure agents can attach EPCs to property particulars as required by law. Currently, building owners can opt-out their EPC from public access through the public address search, and the government proposes that this option should be removed.

The training and accreditation of energy assessors is also addressed. Many discrepancies are linked to data input errors and inadequate training quality, particularly from non-accredited providers. The reforms suggest giving accreditation schemes more control over training standards and expanding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to include specialised skills, such as assessing heritage buildings. 

This consultation is scheduled to last for 12 weeks from 4 December 2024 to 26 February 2025.

Picture: a photograph of a person holding up a tablet with an image of an EPC rating on the screen. Garden plans and an umbrella can be seen in the background. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 10 December 2024

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