An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a document designed to give you a snapshot of how energy efficient a property is and how much energy it is likely to use. It typically contains several key elements to help buyers, renters, and owners understand energy performance and think about improvements.

First, you’ll usually see a widely recognized energy rating, similar to a school grade, that runs from A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient). This rating is based on a model of the building’s energy use and CO2 emissions, and it gives you a quick sense of how costly the property will be to heat and power over a year. Alongside the rating, there is often a numerical score that translates the rating into a specific estimate of energy consumption.

The certificate also provides estimated annual energy costs, which helps you compare running costs with other properties. It will usually include an estimate of current carbon dioxide emissions and, in many cases, a comparison with typical emissions for similar homes in the area. This helps you gauge the environmental impact of living in the property.

A major part of an EPC is the recommendations section. Here, the assessor lists practical and costed or indicative measures that could improve the building’s energy efficiency. Examples might include better insulation, upgrading heating systems, installing more efficient boilers or controls, improving glazing, or sealing air leaks. The document often shows potential improvements and the resulting impact on energy efficiency rating and running costs if those measures were implemented.

Other factual details on the EPC include the property’s address, type, and construction year, the certificate number, the name and accreditation body of the assessor, and the date of the assessment. It may also specify the validity period of the certificate (typically up to 10 years, though this can vary by location and circumstances). Some EPCs for commercial properties or new builds may include additional technical data, such as the energy performance of specific systems, floor areas, and assumptions used in calculations.

It’s important to remember that an EPC is a snapshot based on current building fabric and a typical usage pattern. It does not guarantee future energy bills (which can be affected by how you use the home, occupancy, and climate), it does not reflect actual metered energy consumption, and it does not prescribe mandatory improvements unless you choose to pursue them. If you’re buying or renting, the EPC gives you a useful baseline to compare properties and to plan potential energy-saving upgrades.