New Buildings

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requires that EPCs are produced for all new homes when they are built, even if they are not put on the market - for example, if a home is built for a social landlord. For homes that are marketed the requirement to produce an EPC for new-built properties will apply when the size of property in question becomes liable to have a HIP as part of the phased roll out of HIPs. The 2006 Building Regulations introduced more stringent requirements for the energy efficiency of dwellings. Properties built to these Regulations require a different form of EPC. The original timetable for the introduction of HIPs provided that this different form of EPC would be required in HIPs from 1 October 2007. These arrangements will now be revised to reflect the new, phased timetable for the introduction of HIPs: the extension of the requirement to produce a HIP (with an EPC) to properties built to the 2006 Regulations will be brought into force with a Commencement Order. In line with this the Directive’s requirement that an EPC is produced for all dwellings when they are constructed will now be introduced from 1 January 2008.

By 2009, all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or rented out will have to have an Energy Performance Certificate, in accordance with the EPBD.

Predicted and interim energy assessments
Predicted energy assessments are for homes that are not yet built. When a home is designed, a predicted energy rating based on the design is produced. This must achieve, as a minimum, the target energy rating laid down for the home as specified by the energy efficiency requirements of building regulations.

Interim energy assessments are for new homes built in accordance with the energy efficiency requirements of the building regulations that came into force in April 2006. For these homes, only the energy-efficiency and environmental-impact graphs will be required, and not the full Energy Performance Certificate.

Social Housing      Non-dwellings       Public Buildings