The EPC Register website at epcregister.com enables you to access, download and print the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property (provided an energy assessment has been carried out and a certificate exists). The EPC report includes information on your property's energy efficiency and details on how you can improve the efficiency and hence reduce the running costs. There is also a dedicated section on the EPC Register website called the EPC Adviser that allows you to investigate various energy-saving options and calculate how much money implementing them is likely to save you.

Energy Performance Certificate

An Energy Performance Certificate is required for every existing property in the UK that is being sold or let, and for every new, converted, re-purposed, or modified property. These certificates are available for download in pdf format from the EPC Register website.

The EPC includes the type of dwelling, total floor area, estimates of current costs for lighting, heating and hot water, and how much money could be saved if suggested changes are made. It also shows the current and potential energy rating and energy efficiency information for the various elements of the dwelling.

To retrieve the EPC for your property, select one of the two Retrieve Reports options from the menu and enter either the Report Reference Number (RRN) or the postcode and select from a list of EPCs for properties with that postcode. You can then download the EPC to your computer in pdf format, and print it.

Examples of measures that may be suggested in the EPC include things like wall, loft, or floor insulation, replacing lights with low-energy alternatives, installing thermostats, and so on. The potential savings in pounds per annum are shown, as well as whether or not the suggested improvements are available with Green Deal. If Green Deal is available, this means the improvements could be implemented with no up-front cost to you, and with the costs repaid over time by an addition to the electricity bill. If you leave the property during the repayment period, the outstanding costs are added to the electricity bills of the new owners.

The EPC includes information on the typical up-front costs of the suggested improvements, as well as expected annual savings if the changes are implemented. You do not have to implement any of the improvements or alterations suggested, but if you do, you could save a great deal of money over time.

EPC Adviser

This menu option on the EPC Register website enables you to see how you can make your property more energy efficient and less expensive to run. Select this option from the menu on the left and enter the RRN and security code and then agree to the terms and conditions.

A list of measures (such as changes to insulation, lighting and heating) you can take to improve energy efficiency is displayed. For each option there is information on possible costs, savings, and the impact on CO2 emissions, and there is a check box to allow you to select the options you are possibly interested in implementing. Select as many options as you wish and then click on Calculate to see how much money your selections could potentially save you.

You can return to the selection screen as often as you wish and calculate the potential savings for each combination. When you have finished, click on View Results to see a summary of how much each item will save you annually (or cost you annually). The results page also shows the energy rating for the property, and there is a link for you to download the results in pdf format.

Summary

The costs of making energy efficiency improvements can, in many cases, be spread over a number of years if the changes are covered by the Green Deal. The EPC, obtainable from the EPC Register, includes this information.

The savings you can make depend on the type of property you have and the energy efficiency of the existing dwelling. In some properties the savings may be minimal, especially if the dwelling is new and already has energy efficiency features built in, but in older properties the savings can be substantial with minimal up-front outlay.