EPC costs 'will come down in future'

23-Jul-2007

The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will cost £130 when Home information packs (Hips) are finally introduced next week, but this cost will be reduced once smaller homes qualify for the scheme, according to theHipExchange.com.

Hips were originally intended to be introduced at the beginning of last month, but were subsequently delayed until August 1st, with the government citing the lack of qualified Domestic Energy Assessors (DEAs) as one reason for the postponement.

But with around 2,000 DEAs now qualified, the packs will be introduced for homes with four or more bedrooms next week before being rolled out for smaller properties in subsequent months.

EPCs will grade a home's environmental credentials on a scale of A to G in order to make it easier for first time buyers and other prospective homeowners to gain an accurate impression of a property.

"There will be some providers who are initially quoting less for the Energy Certificate but from the feedback we have been getting we expect the average across the country to be around this level. However, as soon as smaller properties are included later in the year, the average cost is expected to drop," noted theHipExchange.com founder Henry Pryor.

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