An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides an energy rating for a home. Its purpose is to record how energy-efficient the property is as a building, enabling it to be compared to other dwellings. The certificate provides a rating of the property in a band from A to G, where 'A' is very efficient and 'G' is very inefficient, similar to the ratings found on domestic appliances such as fridges and washing machines.

The environmental impact of the property is also rated, as shown in the right-hand graph. This is a measure of the property's impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions - the higher the rating, the less impact it has on the environment.

Each rating is based on the performance of the building and its services (such as the type of heating system installed and lighting) and assumes standard occupancy and heating patterns so that the energy efficiency and environmental impact of dwellings can be compared with one another.

The certificate also lists the potential ratings of the building if suggested improvements are carried out, along with the estimated annual cost savings if the measures were to be carried out.

Since 1st October 2008 all homes in England and Wales built, sold or rented out are required to have an EPC, which is valid for 10 years.

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As a Chartered Surveyor I have been preparing SAP Energy Ratings on residential properties for over 15 years and am an accredited and registered Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) able to prepare the RdSAP Energy Ratings which are more familiarly known as the Energy Performance Certificates or EPCs.

DEA Accreditation/Registration Number: RICS200503