An EPC is required as part of a Home Information Pack (HIP) when selling property and as of 1st October 2008, when letting property too. Essentially, an EPC is an assessment of the energy efficiency of the home with particular regards to room space heating, lighting, hot water provision & heat retention.

The result is a certificate not dissimilar to that provided with electrical appliances such as washing machines and fridges, where energy efficiency is indicated by a coloured chart with ratings from A to G, an example of which is shown.

UK Government introduced EPC’s as one of a number of energy and cost-saving measures to make buildings more efficient. These measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings.

The Energy Performance Certificate is part of these new measures to improve property efficiency. It includes suggestions to enable homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of the building which can mean lower energy bills for the occupiers, and could make homes more attractive to potential purchasers.

The certificate will also provide contact details for the Energy Savings Trust who can help you find out whether you could be eligible for grants or discounts to help carry out these improvements to your home. It will also list simple ways that changes in behaviour can save you energy and money - without the need for any works.

Almost 40% of the UK’s energy is consumed by our 25 million buildings. Even relatively minor changes in energy performance and the way buildings are heated and used can have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption and ultimately in reducing carbon emissions.

The energy effeciency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of a home. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the home is and the lower the fuel bills will be.

The environmental impact rating is a measure of a home’s impact on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. The higher the rating the less impact it has on the environment.

]]> http://www.andrewtaylorandco.com/energy-performance-certificates-epcs.html/feed http://www.andrewtaylorandco.com/welcome-to-our-new-website.html http://www.andrewtaylorandco.com/welcome-to-our-new-website.html#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:24:07 +0000 admin http://www.figuresofspeech.co.uk/andrewtaylorandco/?p=50 Welcome to the launch of our new website !

A full sampling programme is undertaken to identify possible ACMs and estimates of the volume and surface areas of ACMs made.

The survey is designed to be used as a basis for tendering the removal of ACMs from the building prior to demolition or major refurbishment. Therefore, the survey does not assess the condition of the asbestos, other than to note areas of damage or where additional asbestos debris may be expected to be present.

From the information taken from the Asbestos Survey a priority would be given to the action required for any asbestos containing materials found.

Samples from each type of suspect ACM found are collected and analysed to confirm or refute the surveyor’s judgement.

If the material sampled is found to contain asbestos other similar homogeneous materials used in the same way in the building can be strongly presumed to contain asbestos.

Less homogeneous materials will require a greater number of samples.

The number should be sufficient for the surveyor to make an assessment of whether asbestos is or is not present.

Sampling may take place simultaneously with the survey, or as in the case of some larger surveys, can be carried out as a separate exercise, after the Type 1 survey is completed.

This survey essentially defers the need to sample and analyse for asbestos (or its absence) until a later time (e.g. prior to demolition or major refurbishment).

The duty holder bears potential additional costs of management for some non-asbestos-containing materials.

All areas should be accessed and inspected as far as reasonably practicable (e.g. above false ceilings and inside risers, service ducts, lift shafts, etc.) or must be presumed to contain asbestos.

Any materials that can reasonably be expected to contain asbestos must be presumed to contain asbestos. There should be a strong presumption that it does.

All materials that are presumed to contain asbestos must be assessed.

A Building Survey is essential when purchasing period buildings, those with unusual characteristics or of unusual construction. It is equally suitable for modern traditional buildings.

Because of the individual nature of a Building Survey it is not possible to give any guidance on costs, as it is with the Homebuyers Survey and Valuation. The fee will vary according to the type, size, value and location of the property.

• The general condition of the property.
• Any significant factors likely to affect materially the value of the property.
• The value of the property in the open market.
• The value for insurance purposes.

The information is provided in a simple and straightforward layout, easy to read and understand. It is based on a visual inspection of as much of the interior and exterior of the building as is accessible with safety and without undue difficulty, including roof voids, flat roofs accessible with a 3m (10ft) ladder, outbuildings, site boundaries, etc., and an overall impression of the services will be given. This type of report is suitable for most twentieth-century property, but structures which are unusual by virtue of design or construction, and particularly large properties may require a more detailed report and may not easily fall within the format. Your Surveyor will advise you during the preliminary discussion. The cost of the report will depend on the size and type of the property, its location and value. It is often not much more expensive than the basic mortgage valuation report and is far more wide-ranging and gives the buyer the information needed to make a more considered decision on the purchase.

Whilst the valuer will, of course, take into account the general condition of the building, his/her valuation will be based on only a brief and superficial inspection of the property. On a pro-forma sheet the space allocated for comment on the condition of the building is very limited. Remember that the lender lends to a person and it is that person who is liable for the building, its condition and maintenance. Whilst the building is important, it is to some extent secondary for the lender’s purpose.