Heating systems are to be included in a new process being proposed by the government for assessing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) published a consultation paper on 4 December, outlining reforms to the benchmark that has been used to assess home energy efficiency since 2007.
The paper proposes moving away from calculating EPCs using modelled ‘per square metre’ energy costs, based on factors such as standardised heating patterns.
It says EPCs’ existing focus solely on energy costs is ‘insufficient’, and should be widened out to include factors such as thermal performance of the building’s fabric, the type of heating system used, and a building’s potential to integrate smart technologies, such as solar panels.
The government is considering using multiple metrics for EPCs, including:
- Energy cost: helping individuals understand the financial implications of a building’s energy efficiency
- Carbon: estimate of emissions from a building’s energy use
- Energy use: offering insights into overall energy consumption and potential areas for improving energy efficiency
- Fabric performance: assessing the thermal performance of a building’s envelope
- Heating system: providing information on the efficiency and environmental impact of a building’s heating source
- Smart readiness: assessing a building’s potential to integrate smart technologies and benefit from cheaper smart tariffs.
This wider range of metrics will enable EPCs to take into account factors such as how well insulated a property is and whether it can lessen strain on the Grid by incorporating smart technologies, says the DESNZ paper.
The government is proposing that domestic EPCs use four main metrics – fabric performance, heating system, smart readiness and energy costs – with other metrics providing secondary information.
It says carbon would be maintained as the single headline metric for non-domestic EPCs, but new primary or secondary metrics may be added over time where appropriate.
The changes are in line with a package of EPC reforms recommended by the Climate Change Committee last year.
EPCs are an important plank of the government’s wider policies on energy efficiency, which include all rented homes being upgraded to B and C ratings.
More information, including links to relevant documents is available at: Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime
To contribute to the CIBSE response, send comments to technical@cibse.org by 16 February. The consultation closes on 26 February.
