The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an assessment of a domestic homes performance rating in terms of energy used, its energy efficiency based on fuel costs and its environmental impact based on carbon emissions.
The legislation was introduced on 1 October 2008 to meet the EU Directive 2002 aimed at reducing carbon emissions from homes to zero by 2016 and the provision of an EPC is now a legal requirement for all homes being sold, built or rented.
The EPC also takes into account factors such as insulation, heating and hot water systems, ventilation and fuels used, as well as the age of the property.
It is now a legal requirement for the EPC to be available from the first day of marketing for any home for sale or for letting.