Energy ratings for house sales

Posted: 16 Jun 2006 09:21:49 GMT

The government has revealed that next year's Home Information Packs (Hips) will include energy efficiency ratings similar to those on fridges.

Hips will be introduced to the property market next June and experts remain divided as to the impact they will have on buying and selling habits.

But it seems that there has been widespread support for the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which housing minister Yvette Cooper claims will contribute significantly to cutting carbon emissions from homes.

"Given the growing challenge from climate change and rising energy costs, I think people should be entitled to this kind of information about the home they buy," she said.

"You can get this kind of consumer information on fridges and washing machines, so why not on a home where the emissions - and the savings - are so much greater?"

The EPC will provide house buyers and sellers with a rating between A and G for a property's energy efficiency and carbon emissions. It will also provide information on the average costs for heating, hot water and lighting as well as advice on cutting costs through energy efficiency measures.


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