Consumer organisation Which? says there is considerable evidence that many EPCs are ‘not accurate’.
Its new report says that the information provided on EPCs is too confusing for most people to understand and that their design must be improved.
EPCs have been mandatory for landlords to obtain for their properties since 2020 under the MEES Regulations, and must be greater than a ‘Band E’ to be rented legally although, as LandlordZONE reported recently, enforcement by councils is patchy at best.
Rather than just a headline, Which? says EPCs should include the property’s energy use and cost, the heating system employed and environmental impact.
It also says EPCs should help landlords transition to heating systems that create less carbon emissions by providing more information about the best options for each property.
Which? also says EPCs should be specific to each property type, be available via a free national smartphone app and linked to the emerging number of ‘property logbooks’ now available.
The report says: “A fundamental requirement of EPCs is that the ratings they provide are a fair reflection of the property’s energy efficiency and carbon emissions, and the information they include is accurate.
“Unfortunately, there is substantial evidence that the metrics and information in many EPCs may be misleading and homeowners, tenants, landlords and policy makers could be making decisions based on inaccurate information.”
Daniel Särefjord (pictured), CEO of heat pump firm Aira UK, says "The Which? policy paper shows that the Energy Performance Certificate regime is outdated, counterintuitive and badly designed to meet consumer demand for accurate home energy efficiency ratings. “EPCs should have a greater focus on the impact of the home on the climate, a metric that is lacking at this time.
“Which? repeatedly highlights the integral role that heat pumps will play in decarbonising our homes, as we take on the largest domestic source of CO2 and Europe's third largest carbon emitter - residential heating.”
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