Changes to Metrics

It is suggested that the current metrics do not provide a sufficient level of detail, and the consultation proposes the below metrics for consideration:

• Energy cost: helping individuals understand the financial implications of a building’s energy efficiency and make informed decisions about potential improvements.
• Carbon: an estimate of the carbon emissions arising from the energy used in the building.
• Energy use: offering insights into overall energy consumption and identifying areas for energy efficiency improvements.

• Fabric performance: assessing the thermal performance of a building’s envelope and promoting the importance of well-insulated, comfortable, and energy-efficient spaces.
• Heating system: providing information on the efficiency and environmental impact of a building’s heating source and encouraging the adoption of cleaner heating technologies.
• Smart readiness: assessing a building’s potential to integrate smart technologies that can optimise energy consumption and the ability of consumers to benefit from cheaper smart tariffs.

The government is proposing that domestic EPCs use four headline metrics; ‘fabric performance’, ‘heating system’, ‘smart readiness’ and ‘energy cost’ as headline metrics, with other metrics provided as secondary information, and that the carbon metric is maintained as the single headline metric on non-domestic EPCs at this time.

Transition

It is anticipated that any changes to the EPC metrics will be introduced in the second half of 2026.  The government expects that new and/or amended metrics will be introduced for domestic buildings with the Home Energy Model (rather than updates to SAP/RdSAP).

An EPC methodology for the Home Energy Model is currently under development and will be consulted on in 2025. Any changes to the metrics for non-domestic buildings will be implemented through updates to the National Calculation Methodology for non-domestic buildings. 

Reducing the validity periods for EPCs

The consultation proposes a change to when an EPC is required for a property. At present, the validity period of an EPC is 10 years, and a valid EPC is required when a property is marketed for sale or let or is newly constructed. The consultation now poses the question as to what the validity period for EPCs should be, presenting 6 different options, ranging from less than 2 years to 10 years. As well as the validity period, the government is also considering increasing the requirements/trigger points for EPCs. One proposal includes the need for private landlords to get a new EPC when their current EPC has expired.

Training and Standards

The Government is consulting on various options to ensure all assessors producing EPCs are suitably skilled and qualified, to ensure the standard of EPCs produced can be seen as reliable.

Timescales

This consultation is scheduled to last for 12 weeks, from 4th December 2024 to 26th February 2025.

Once the consultation closes, the government will review all responses and aim to release an initial statement response within the following 12 weeks.