Political parties should not allow the lengthy General Election campaign to delay work on a new and beefed-up Energy Performance Certificate - and it should be a priority for the next government.
That’s the view of Elmhurst Energy, which says a government consultation on a new EPV was expected this summer - but then the election intervened.
The organisation says EPCs should be reformed to measure the ‘three Cs’ – energy consumption, energy cost, and carbon emissions – with renewals every three years, or when changes to a building are made that could impact its energy efficiency.
“EPCs are currently being used to drive policies for cutting carbon emissions and cut energy usage, but this is like using blunt scissors to cut grass. EPCs are a powerful tool for estimating energy bills, but we are asking them to do a job they weren’t designed for. However, with reform, they could deliver so much more” says Stuart Fairlie, managing director of Elmhurst Energy.
“The current EPC was introduced as a cost metric to simply show how cheap or expensive a home is to heat. Improving them would unlock the potential they offer for improving the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings, making them carbon net zero-ready and able to support decarbonisation of the grid.
“EPCs now need to include information on the energy cost, energy use and carbon emissions of a home or building. To make them easier to understand, the format should change to something similar to food labelling, and to increase their validity, they should be renewed every three years – or every time there is a change to a building that impacts its energy performance.”
The anticipated EPC consultation this summer was to be part of the government EPC Action Plan, launched in 2020.
Elmhurst says there are various improvement it suggests:
1. Use the ‘Golden Triangle’ of information in EPCs
EPCs should now show the ‘three Cs’: energy consumption, energy cost, and carbon emissions. They should also use a ‘Golden Triangle’ of information:
- Asset rating: the predicted energy cost and consumption of the building, based upon average occupancy patterns.
- Occupancy rating: the predicted energy consumption of the building, based on the people using it.
- Energy consumption: what energy the building uses to run, ideally based on data from smart meters.
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2. Launch the ‘New EPC’ alongside the Home Energy Model and Future Homes Standard
Consultation results are expected in the coming months on the new Future Homes and Buildings Standards, and the Home Energy Model (HEM). The latter will be used to demonstrate that a home complies with legal energy efficiency performance targets. Elmhurst says the most sensible solution would be to deliver the new EPC so that it coincides closely with the HEM and FHS. It is urging government to release its long-awaited EPC consultation, earmarked in the 2020 EPC Action plan, as close to summer 2024 as possible, as previously indicated.
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3. Rebalance tax applied to fuel
Currently, any low-carbon heating solution running on electricity, such as a heat pump, is more expensive than running a traditional gas boiler. This means they won’t be recommended on the current EPC.To change this, we must switch the ‘green levy’ in energy bills so it applies to gas rather than electricity supply. Price ceilings and floors should be applied to ensure that what is right for the environment is also right for the consumer. This would also make heat pumps and other low carbon heating solutions more attractive to consumers.
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4. Put minimum energy efficiency targets back in place
The government must take a deep breath and reinstate energy efficiency targets for the private rented sector. All non-domestic tenancies should be required to meet EPC C by 1 April 2027. EPC B should apply to all privately rented non-domestic properties by 1 April 2030. For domestic private rented sector properties, the government should adjust the timeline previously proposed for new and renewed tenancies to reach EPC C by 1 April 2028. This should be gradually extended to cover all existing tenancies at a later date.
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5. Launch a retrofit advice hub
A retrofit guidance hub located on GOV.UK would deliver much-needed consumer information on retrofit and energy efficiency improvements – including the best order to complete them and how they might work alongside planned property refurbishments. It should support decisions around green finance and appropriate renewable technologies, such as heat pumps and solar panels, plus options for insulation, ventilation and heat recovery. The hub should also signpost to registered professionals so homeowners can locate properly accredited and trained people.
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Oh and why should we do that elmhurst energy? Is it because this is how you make your money and the narrative suits your pocket. Talk to China and Russia and get their emissions down to half ours and maybe I’ll start looking into your nonsense that’s all about filling your pockets.
Arr the old 'let's do absolutely nothing in the UK to reduce energy waste, CO2 pollution, tackle fuel poverty etc because of the Chinese'. I've heard this intellectually flawed argument a few times. Last time I checked China had constructed most of the largest hydroelectric power facilities in the world. The massive Maerdang (that's in China) hydro scheme came online last month. China has had our equivalent of EPCs for years and is making millions of homes and business premises energy efficient and fit-for-purpose, at tremendous speed. Oh and it has the largest installed base of solar PV generation on the planet. Yes, let's sit on our hands and fall further and further behind. Such a great idea!!
Gibbo is back!
Have we missed your lecturing and preaching, Gibbo? HELL NO!
That’s why china’s contribution to emissions is 27% and ours is 3% . Your argument is nonsense Gibbons. But nothing new there eh?
Martin Gibbons: If we followed the science, then we'd have let Tesla develop wireless electricity with his magnifying transmitter, and energy production would be a product of government. Besides, there's thousands of scientists who've signed agreements that there is no climate crisis due to our emissions of Co2. I'll not labour on that point. I'd add to Adrian's point through - he's referring to crisis capitalism. If we acquiesce to it, we make our own lives worse. As for going green - have you seen what a lithium mine looks like for your EV batteries? Have you looked at the impossible recycling of all those wind turbine blades, and solar panels? These solutions are not real solutions. When a real solution comes along (hydrogen power, please) - I'll listen to change.
Dear old Haynes, your train of thought is a replacement bus service. China produces more CO2 emissions due to its vastly greater population - 1.4 billion compared the UK's 67 million. Do try to keep up with the rest of us.
Gibbo, the REST OF US ignore or laugh at you. If your ambition at school was to be a figure of fun you have succeeded. At least you are good for a laugh and clicks.😂😂😂😂😂
Dear old Gibbons you clearly have no grasp of percentages and clearly looking at the responses to you on here I think I’d crawl back into you hole and reflect on the fact not a single soul agrees with your insanity.
economic illiteracy on show again!
Can't these types of articles be titled as "Advertorials" ?
We all know they are, of course, but it would just be a little more honest, as far as the publication is concerned.
EPC's not worth the paper they are written on, a complete joke and waste of time.
Gibbo is spouting his usual rubbish - just how many coal fired power stations do China open every month??????
Indeed, the idea that China is somehow a glowing beacon of Green policy just shows how easily some people are fooled and the notion that anything we do makes a difference is for the birds. Hard working tenants are struggling under the Green penalty taxes that we have self destructively imposed and when it comes to paying the rent or keeping the heating on I know which one most tenants will choose.
Care in the community?
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