Collecting the information required for an EPC

The energy assessor will need know about how the home has been built. Finding supporting information before the energy assessor visits will ensure you get the most accurate energy efficiency rating for your building. If you have up to date information this process will be less time consuming. The energy assessor is responsible for ensuring the information used in the energy calculations is accurate and, even where detailed plans are available for existing buildings, must validate the information provided.

The assessor will need to know:

• when the building was built (searches or deeds may provide evidence)
• whether or not the building has been extended and when
• if it has been double glazed, any certificates that may be available
• whether the walls have been insulated and if so whether this is cavity, internal or external insulation
• when boilers and hot water cylinders were installed and their make and model (any manuals may provide evidence)
• the location of room thermostats and heating timers
• the location of gas and electricity meters
• the type of heating fuel you use and the types of heating you use for your rooms

Once the assessment is completed the data is fed into a government approved software programme^{[footnote 3]}. The software will produce the EPC and recommendations using the data collected.