Energy Performance Certificates contain information on your home's energy use and carbon dioxide emissions A Recommendation Report with suggestions to reduce energy use and carbon dioxide emissions.

Energy Performance Certificates carry ratings that compare the current energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions with potential figures that your home could achieve. Potential figures are calculated by estimating what the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions would be if energy saving measures were put in place. As a legal requirement an EPC must be in place before any marketing of your property takes place, failure to do so will result in a fine.

The rating measures the energy and carbon emission efficiency of your home using a grade from 'A' to 'G'. An 'A' rating is the most efficient, while 'G' is the least efficient. The average efficiency grade to date is 'D'. All homes are measured using the same calculations, so you can compare the energy efficiency of different properties.

The Recommendation Report
Energy Performance Certificates also provide a detailed recommendation report showing what you could do to help reduce the amount of energy you use and your carbon dioxide emissions.

The report lists:

• Suggested improvements, for example fitting loft insulation
• Possible cost savings per year, if the improvements are made
• How the recommendations would change the energy and carbon emission rating of the property