On the 4th December 2024, the UK government launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime. This new consultation focuses on changes to Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), Display Energy Certificates (DECs), and air conditioning inspection reports (ACIRs). These reforms reflect the growing urgency of addressing climate change while improving the quality of life for residents. The consultation, which seeks feedback from stakeholders, presents significant changes for property owners, developers, and tenants alike.
Why Reform is Necessary
The EPB framework was originally designed to provide energy performance data for property transactions, but the energy landscape has shifted dramatically since its inception. With growing demands for clean energy, decarbonisation, and consumer protection, the current system must be modernised to keep pace. Since their introduction, the policy landscape around energy has changed greatly with new priorities including:
Fairer Energy Costs: Lowering bills, spreading costs more equitably, and protecting consumers from energy price volatility.
Clean Power by 2030: Enhancing energy independence, creating jobs, and accelerating progress toward net-zero emissions.
Warm Homes Plan: Reducing household energy bills, decarbonising homes, and tackling fuel poverty through enhanced energy efficiency.
What Are the Key Goals of the Energy Performance of Buildings Regime Reform?
Accurate Information
The reform aims to provide homeowners and tenants with accurate, up-to-date information about their properties’ energy performance. This transparency will enable them to make informed decisions regarding energy efficiency investments and property purchases. By enhancing the accuracy of energy data, the reform will also assist in determining eligibility for government schemes, ensuring fair access to support. In addition, it will enable more precise tracking of progress toward the government’s climate targets.
Support Energy Efficiency Targets
These changes should also encourage the reduction in carbon emissions while addressing fuel poverty. By providing accurate energy performance data, the updated EPB Framework will serve as a critical tool to support a range of initiatives, including improving housing standards and advancing the Warm Homes Plan.
Reflect The Needs of Wider Users of EPCs
Following the reform, the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime should reflect the needs of a broader range of EPC users beyond just homeowners and tenants. This includes key stakeholders such as lenders, who rely on EPC data for assessing mortgage risks and green financing opportunities, and suppliers of energy efficiency products and services, who use this information to tailor solutions and drive energy upgrades.
Proposed Changes
The consultation includes proposed reforms to enhance the regime in five critical areas:
- Expanding the metrics used to assess Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
- Refining the rules for obtaining Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs) to update when energy certificates are required
- Overseeing energy certificate quality
- Improving the accessibility of building performance data
- Improving the standards of air conditioning inspection reports
Have Your Say
The government is inviting feedback on these proposed reforms to ensure the new EPB framework meets the needs of all stakeholders. By participating in the consultation, you can help shape the future of energy efficiency in the UK.
Have your say by responding online via the UK Government website, sending an email to energyperformanceofbuildingsregulations@communities.gov.uk, or posting a physical letter to:
Energy Performance of Buildings Reforms consultation
Building Systems and Insights Directorate
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Fry Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
The consultation closes on 11:59pm on 26 February 2025. Be sure to share your views on this transformative initiative!
