The drive towards net zero has led the government to re-evaluate how the EPC system works and launch a consultation process on changes, some of which could have a serious impact on both sales and letting agents. be.
The accuracy and effectiveness of EPC has long been questioned. In response, the government says it wants to make the EPC more useful, complete and easy to understand. 
big picture
We propose the use of multiple indicators to provide a more complete picture of a building's energy performance. these are:
Energy costs: Helping individuals understand the financial impact of building energy efficiency and make informed decisions about potential improvements.
Carbon: Estimates of carbon emissions resulting from energy used in buildings.
Energy usage: Provides insight into your overall energy consumption and identifies areas to improve energy efficiency.
Fabric Performance: Evaluate the thermal performance of building envelopes and promote the importance of well-insulated, comfortable and energy-efficient spaces.
Heating systems: Provides information on the efficiency and environmental impact of building heat sources and encourages the adoption of cleaner heating technologies.
Smart readiness: Assessing the potential of buildings to integrate smart technologies that can optimize energy consumption and the ability of consumers to benefit from lower smart tariffs.
The government is also considering introducing SMETERS, which measures actual energy usage via smart meters against prevailing weather conditions, to get a more accurate picture of how much energy buildings use.
more frequent testing
There are also some major changes proposed to the sales and rental markets, including:
End of the 28-day rule – Buildings will require an EPC before they can be placed on the market. Expand the scope of the EPC so that every time you rent out a room, a multi-occupation (HMO) requires a valid EPC for the whole house. The short leave will allow EPCs to request EPC tests more frequently than the current 10-year period. A valid EPC is required for the entire tenancy period. This means that if the EPC expires during the tenancy, the property will need to be retested.
Consultations will run until February 26, 2025, with the government saying any changes will be introduced in the second half of 2026.
