Source · Select Committees · Energy Security and Net Zero Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
Reform Energy Performance Certificate metric to improve quality and address misuse.
Recommendation
Energy Performance Certificate assessments vary greatly in quality and consistency. It is therefore troubling that they are expected to perform such a range of functions that they were never initially designed for, such as determining eligibility for government support schemes. If the Government is to continue using Energy Performance Certificates for such purposes, reform of the Energy Performance Certificate metric must come quickly. The validity of Energy Performance Certificates for 10 years is also too long to say with confidence that all assessments and recommendations remain relevant. (Conclusion, Paragraph 63)
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the need for EPC reform and is already engaged in this process. A consultation has outlined proposals for updated EPC metrics to better reflect a building’s energy performance, emissions, and cost, with changes expected to be introduced in 2026 under the Home Energy Model.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government is reforming Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to better align them with our key policy objectives, including achieving Clean Power by 2030 and accelerating progress towards Net Zero. The consultation on EPC Reform, developed jointly by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, outlined proposed reforms that will support the effective delivery of the Warm Homes Plan, aiming to reduce household bills and tackle fuel poverty. The consultation set out proposals for updated EPC metrics to more fully reflect a building’s energy performance and show clear information on emissions and cost. The Government expects that changes to the EPC metrics will be introduced in 2026 and new and amended metrics will be introduced for domestic buildings under the Home Energy Model (HEM). The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government are currently analysing responses to the consultation and will publish the Government Response in due course.