DESNZ consultation on the Home Energy Model: Energy Performance Certificates - Which? response

We welcome the government's plans to reform EPCs. EPCs have the potential to be a valuable tool for consumers wanting to understand the energy efficiency of their home or a property for sale or rent, and a gateway for understanding the improvements consumers can make to their home. They also have an important role in demonstrating compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards for rented homes and eligibility for some forms of finance. These issues are particularly important in the context of the government's Warm Homes Plan and ongoing concerns about energy bills. 

Our research has highlighted serious issues with EPCs in their current form with limited consumer engagement with EPCs, poor understanding of the current metric, and recommendations that are not seen as relevant or useful. Our investigations have also highlighted serious issues with the accuracy and reliability of EPC assessments which we expect the government to address in future reforms. The government’s decision to maintain the 10 year validity period for EPCs will also undermine accuracy as data will inevitably become out of date in that period. 

Most consumers will not engage with the detailed points relating to the Home Energy Model, but it is important that the metrics accurately reflect relevant aspects of the property and its heating and hot water system, and can easily be explained to consumers. Where consumers do want to engage with the detailed data behind the ratings this should also be supported.