Millions in UK unaware of the need for an energy performance certificate, research reveals
25-08-2012
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An EPC is a legally required document that enables home owners and tenants to assess the energy effectiveness of the properties they live in, as well as understand their energy costs but 22 million British people are unaware, the report from The Green Home Company shows. Awareness varies according to age and location. Those aged 18 to 24 and 35 to 44 are least likely to know what an EPC is whereas 25 to 34 year olds are most likely. While people living in Scotland are least likely to know what an EPC is, whereas Wales and the South West region have the most number of people aware. The fact that every other person in Britain is unaware of what an EPC is hugely worrying given it plays such an important part in telling us how energy efficient our homes are and therefore, acts as an indicator of where cost savings can be made.
With households all over the country feeling the pinch, making sure you know about energy performance certificates is an absolute must,? said John Benner, managing director of The Green Home Company. The research also found that home owners are more aware of other energy saving issues. Energy saving light bulbs are the most popular green initiative with 28 million home owners saying they have them in place, some 16 million people have cavity wall insulation, 13 million have water tank insulation and 11 million have water butts to collect rainwater. The research found 1.2 million home owners have chosen to install solar panels as a green initiative on the roof of their properties and a further 627,000 have biomass boilers. In total there are 1.6 million households in Britain with solar panel technology installed. Internal decorating ranked as the most popular home improvement followed by purchasing new furniture, as people look to make changes and update their homes at relatively low cost as the health of economy remains uncertain. Putting in a new kitchen ranked third and installing new windows fifth. People are equally as likely to build an extension, as they are to install solar panel technology or add a conservatory to them home.
As the outlook for the economy remains uncertain, people are looking to upgrade and make changes to their existing homes, which costs considerably less than moving. Whilst cosmetic changes are most popular, people are also looking for ways to combine home upgrades with saving money in the form of solar panel installations,? said Benner. Energy prices have almost doubled in the last ten years, and with them set to continue rising, it is not surprising that home owners are considering the financial advantages of solar technologies. Solar panels are a sensible and beneficial home improvement for anyone looking to save money as they can significantly reduce the cost of utility bill. Returning up to 10% of the original investment every year, solar systems pay for themselves, on average, after just eight years making them a worthwhile investment while also adding value to a property,? he added.
