Established in 2021, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system was introduced to evaluate the energy efficiency of buildings and suggest improvements. However, as regulations and energy standards have evolved, the government has initiated a new consultation aimed at modernising the EPC framework to better reflect technological advancements and ensure its continued relevance.

Under the existing system, EPCs for commercial buildings rely on Environmental Impact Ratings (EIR), which assess carbon dioxide emissions per square metre. These ratings are based on property inspections or an analysis of building plans and specifications. Buildings are assigned a grade from A+ to G, along with recommendations for retrofitting to improve efficiency.

However, the government has identified flaws in this approach. The EIR can present a skewed view of a building’s energy performance due to its reliance on external factors like grid decarbonisation. For instance, as the grid becomes less carbon-intensive, a building’s EIR score may improve even if no energy efficiency upgrades have been made. This dependency on external variables, such as fluctuating energy costs and grid emissions, limits the accuracy of the ratings and reduces the incentive for building owners to make meaningful changes.

Key proposed changes to EPCs

The consultation outlines a series of reforms designed to address these shortcomings and improve the reliability of EPCs:

• The government proposes introducing mandatory energy efficiency inspections for large heating systems, similar to those already required for air conditioning units. These inspections would help identify inefficiencies and recommend actionable improvements. Additionally, the consultation suggests reforming inspection thresholds for air conditioning systems, citing low compliance rates.
• To streamline access to EPC information, a new system is being developed for property agents. This platform will allow agents to directly retrieve EPCs from the national register, ensuring compliance with legal requirements to include certificates in property listings.
• Another significant proposal is to remove the opt-out option that currently allows building owners to restrict public access to their EPCs via the address search tool.
• Data discrepancies and errors in current EPCs are often linked to inadequate training of assessors, particularly those certified by non-accredited providers. The proposed reforms aim to strengthen training standards by granting accreditation schemes more oversight and expanding Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs. These programs would include specialised training for tasks such as assessing heritage properties, ensuring assessors have the skills needed to address diverse building types.

The public consultation ends on 26 February 2025, inviting stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed changes. These reforms represent a significant step toward creating a more accurate, accessible, and reliable EPC system that aligns with modern energy efficiency standards and the UK’s broader decarbonisation goals.