Performance Assessment Through Energy Performance Certificate
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a detailed report which contains information about how energy is used in a home or a business premises, along with details of cost of energy consumed. EPCs helps to know how energy efficient a home or a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). EPCs let the people in the building know how much it would cost to heat cool or light. An EPC rates a building's performance in terms of a)energy used per mt.sq. b)estimated fuel cost c)impact of carbon dioxide emission. Different formulas and calculative methods are employed to accurately measure energy performance of premises. Cost of energy consumed varies depending on number of factors such as: size and complexity of buildings, its location, equipments used, number of persons living et.al. The energy performance certificates are issued by qualified professional technicians/ architects who are also an accredited assessors. They would assess a property by examining key items such as loft insulation, hot water tank,radiators, windows for double glazing among others. Observation are then fed in a software program that calculates and outputs energy efficiency. The program gives the rating of energy efficiency ranging from A to G and suggests potential improvements. In countries like England and Wales it is an offense to construct, sell or lease a building without providing an Energy Performance Certificate(EPC) to potential tenants,occupiers,owners or property managers. By law, when a home is bought an EPC is provided free of charge. Tenants receives an EPC from landlord free of charge and for shared apartments EPCs aren’t required. Owners and tenants of a home or a building could view energy performance periodically on EPC register website. This way they could compare energy consumption with other similar homes / buildings and take necessary steps to conserve energy. Energy assessors Surrey are committed to work towards conserving energy and reducing carbon emissions. Renewable energy sources are also sought to fulfill country's energy requirements. Energy efficient electrical appliances, fixing of solar heating panels and application of hydro power, geothermal and wind power are considered to reduce harmful carbon emissions. An EPC reflects the energy performance and thereby helps dwellers to know which appliances and things consume more energy and what suitable measures to be taken for efficient energy consumption. It helps to curb cost spent to meet energy needs. Usage of environmentally friendly renewable energy sources also helps countries to support ‘go green’ initiative.