Vitality Efficiency Certificates (EPCs) are hindering efforts to attain internet zero objectives.
That’s in line with a latest report from Vitality Techniques Catapult. which highlights points with the present system, together with a efficiency hole between precise power consumption and EPC fashions, a desire for gasoline heating over low carbon applied sciences and an individualistic method limiting entire system planning for internet zero.
Launched in 2007, EPCs have expanded in use, impacting insurance policies associated to internet zero, renters’ rights and gas poverty.
If EPCs proceed recommending new gasoline boilers on the present price, societal prices of extra carbon dioxide emissions might vary from £19 billion to £57 billion by 2050, in line with analysts.
The report proposes transferring away from a single headline score to 3 metrics: power use, local weather influence and power value.
These metrics goal to align coverage and regulatory makes use of with related points, encouraging the adoption of low carbon heating applied sciences.
Fay Holland, Senior Vitality Coverage Advisor at Vitality Techniques Catapult, mentioned: “EPCs – of their present type – are undermining efforts to attain internet zero. Our suggestions recognise the central position that EPCs play within the property market and in policymaking to create the situations needed for revolutionary options to residence decarbonisation to flourish.
“EPC reform will profit customers. It is going to encourage property homeowners – landlords, social housing suppliers, and owners – to undertake low carbon heating applied sciences, whereas opening the market as much as new measurement methodologies will help revolutionary, top quality efficiency prognosis and retrofit options.
“The introduction of digital constructing passports will present the information wanted to tell higher coverage choices by authorities on the decarbonisation of warmth and buildings.”
