Energy performance certificates (EPCs) for your home

An Energy perfomance certificate or energy perfomance report shows the energy efficiency of your home. It gives buildings an energy rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). This rating helps you understand how much it costs to heat and light your home, as well as its impact on the environment.

An EPC also suggests ways to improve your home's energy efficiency. These recommendations can range from simple steps, like switching to energy-saving light bulbs, to larger projects, like adding insulation. Even if you rent, you can make some of these changes.

All homes will have an EPC (although it may have run out). You can find the EPC for your property on HM Government Find an Energy Certificate.

EPCs are valid for 10 years, so it's a good idea to check yours regularly to see if there are new ways to save energy.

If you are going to sell or rent out your property and live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland you will need an EPC before you can put it on the market. Sellers in Scotland have to provide a more extensive “home report” which includes an EPC, as well as a survey and a property questionnaire.

An EPC must be commissioned before the property is on the market and it must be available to be shown to prospective buyers or tenants if requested. However, there are some exemptions – including listed buildings and holiday homes. A full list of exemptions can be found on HM Government's EPC page.

An EPC is valid for 10 years. This means you can use the same certificate multiple times during that period, for example, when showing it to different potential buyers or tenants. However, once the 10 years are up, you'll need a new EPC if you want to sell or rent out the property.  It is also worth remembering if you have carried out any energy efficiency works within that period, it may be worth you having a new EPC to show your most updated rating as it may have changed’. 

The cost of an EPC can vary, depending on different factors. B&Q has partnered with Vibrant to help guide our customers to a more energy efficient home by visiting and assessing your home's energy efficiency rating. If you live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Vibrant offer a home visit and energy performance certificate from £90. In Scotland, further information is required as part of an EPC and the cost is dependent upon these factors. Vibrant will be able to give you an indication of costs when they contact you. 

Vibrant will carry out a full survey of your property including loft areas, windows and doors, boilers, lights and any other energy related sources.  They will take photographs to gather evidence to support the EPC rating.

It will help to have any documents on installed products (boilers, solar panels, insulation) available to be added to the report. Once completed you will receive your report via email within a couple of days.