Shaping the Future of EPCs: Carbon Profile Leads the Conversation on Government Reforms
The UK Government's proposed reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regime have sparked significant interest and debate across the property sector. At Carbon Profile, we believe it's crucial to engage with these reforms proactively and ensure our clients' voices are heard. To that end, we recently hosted a webinar to discuss the consultation and gather valuable feedback through interactive polling.
Webinar Highlights
Our webinar, "The Government Wants Our Collective Input" provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed changes, explored their potential impact on property portfolios, and facilitated a lively discussion with industry professionals.
Key topics covered included:
EPC validity periods: We discussed the current 10-year validity and the push for a shorter timeframe to ensure EPCs remain accurate and relevant.
Displaying energy cost information: Participants overwhelmingly supported the inclusion of energy cost information on EPCs to enhance their practical value for homeowners and tenants.
Fabric performance metric: There was broad agreement on incorporating a fabric performance metric, with some nuanced considerations for commercial properties.
Heating system metric: A clear preference emerged for a simple and easily understandable heating system metric that avoids unnecessary complexity.
Smart readiness metric: Opinions were mixed on a smart readiness metric, highlighting the need to balance innovation with cost-effectiveness and practicality.
Client Feedback and Insights
The webinar generated valuable insights into our client's priorities and concerns regarding the proposed reform.
Some key takeaways from the feedback include:
A strong desire for EPCs to be more user-friendly and provide actionable information for improving energy efficiency.
Recognition of the importance of fabric performance in achieving energy savings and decarbonisation goals.
A need for clear and concise metrics that are easily understood by all stakeholders.
A cautious approach to incorporating new technologies and metrics, ensuring they are cost-effective and add genuine value.
Carbon Profile's Response to the EPC Consultation
In our official response to the government's consultation, Carbon Profile advocated for several key changes to the EPC framework. We expressed strong support for displaying energy cost information on EPCs, believing it would enhance their practicality and user-friendliness. We also agreed with the inclusion of a fabric performance metric, although we highlighted the need for careful consideration of its methodology and potential impact on asset value.
Regarding the proposed heating system metric, we emphasised the importance of clarity and simplicity to ensure it is easily understood by all stakeholders. We expressed a more cautious view on the smart readiness metric, suggesting further exploration to balance innovation with cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, we strongly supported a reduction in the EPC validity period to 5 years, arguing that this would ensure EPCs remain accurate and relevant. We also advocated for making EPCs mandatory for all private rented buildings and requiring a valid EPC before marketing a property for sale or rent.
Overall, our response emphasised the need for EPCs to be clear, practical, and effective tools for driving energy efficiency improvements and supporting the UK's decarbonisation goals. We believe that incorporating client feedback and collaborating with industry stakeholders is crucial for shaping a robust and impactful EPC framework.
Carbon Profile's Commitment
We are committed to representing our client's interests and ensuring their perspectives are considered in the government's consultation process. We will be submitting a comprehensive response that reflects the feedback gathered during our webinar and through ongoing client engagement.
Join the Conversation:
We encourage all stakeholders in the property sector to actively participate in the consultation process and share their views on the proposed reforms. The deadline for submitting responses is 26th February 2025
