What’s changing and why it matters
The UK government is looking to shake up how we measure and improve the energy performance of our buildings.
If you’ve ever dealt with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or wondered why you need one, these reforms are worth your attention. They’re not just about adding new metrics; they’re about making EPCs and related documents more useful, trustworthy, and aligned with the UK’s big goals, like hitting net-zero carbon by 2050 and reducing fuel poverty.
Who’s Affected and Where?
These changes focus on England and Wales, but Northern Ireland and Scotland are also in the loop since energy assessors and calculation tools operate UK-wide. Scotland’s already on a similar path, and all four nations aim to share data and work smoothly together. Wales relies on EPCs for its own building standards and social housing rules, so cooperation matters here, too.
What’s Changing?
- New EPC Metrics
- Current EPC ratings aren’t always up to the job. So, say hello to a broader set of measures: fabric performance, heating system efficiency, smart readiness, energy costs, and carbon emissions. For homes, this might mean seeing how well your walls and windows keep in the heat, how flexible your heating system is, and whether your place can tap into smart tariffs for cheaper power. For offices and shops, carbon data might stay in the spotlight, but over time we might add other indicators too.
A question to consider: Will having more data help people make better decisions, or just confuse them? The government says it will do user testing to keep things clear.
- EPC and DEC Requirements
- Shorter Validity Periods: Instead of EPCs lasting 10 years, the government’s thinking about cutting this down so certificates stay fresh and relevant.
- Always Having a Valid EPC for Rentals: Landlords would need to keep an EPC valid throughout the tenancy, not just at the start.
- HMOs and Short-Term Lets: Houses in Multiple Occupation and short-term holiday rentals will no longer slip through the cracks. They’ll need valid EPCs, and by extension, they’ll fall under minimum energy efficiency standards, too.
- Heritage Buildings: Even those with historical or architectural merit should have EPCs. But the government plans to tailor recommendations so owners aren’t told to install something that ruins the building’s character.
Something to ponder: Does more frequent renewal just add costs, or does it push building owners to make meaningful improvements?
- Data and Accessibility
The plan is to improve how EPC and energy data is managed, shared, and displayed. Old or cancelled certificates won’t clutter the system, and building owners won’t be allowed to hide their EPC from public view. The government also wants to be freer in sharing EPC data (while respecting privacy) so analysts, policymakers, and even you can get better insights into building performance.
Question: Could more open data spur innovation, like new tools to help homeowners find the cheapest upgrades?
- Quality and Trust in EPCs
There’s concern that EPC accuracy varies. The fix? Give accreditation schemes more power over training assessors, tighten up checks, and raise penalties for fraudulent or sloppy work. The result should be fewer errors and more confidence in EPCs.
Think about it: If you trust the EPC’s recommendations, are you more likely to invest in energy-saving improvements? Probably.
- Improved Compliance and Enforcement
What good are rules if nobody follows them? The government aims to raise penalties for non-compliance, give trading standards officers better data, and make enforcement more robust. For renters, this might mean more reliable info about property efficiency. For owners, it might be a nudge that cutting corners is no longer an option. - Revising Air Conditioning Inspections
Air conditioning systems need inspection, but compliance is low. By making penalties tougher and reports simpler – and possibly adding a cost metric – the government hopes to motivate more building owners to follow through. After all, proper maintenance and upgrades can save 30-40% on AC-related energy costs.
Why Does This Matter?
These reforms aren’t just about bureaucracy. They’re about enabling better decisions so that you, your neighbours, and businesses across the country can lower bills, cut carbon emissions, and make buildings healthier and more comfortable. The government is also hoping that as EPCs become more accurate and trusted, they’ll help direct investments (public and private) toward meaningful, cost-effective improvements.
So What’s Next?
The consultation runs until 26 February 2025. If you have opinions – for example, maybe you’re a landlord worried about costs, a tenant keen on reliable info, or a heritage homeowner wondering about tailored advice – now’s the time to speak up. The final shape of these reforms will depend on feedback from everyone involved.
Final Thought
Yes, these reforms are technical. But at their heart, they’re about making sure we know what’s going on behind our walls and under our roofs, so we can move toward warmer, cheaper-to-run, and more climate-friendly buildings. Will this be the perfect fix? Maybe not. But it’s a serious attempt to put better tools and data into everyone’s hands.
