Are HIPs here to stay?

Stong rumours abound that HIPs are living on borrowed time. If there is a change of government at the next election their usage is certainly under threat. This would be a shame. HIPs have been in place for nearly three years now and are perceived by many as a step in the right direction. The more information that is available up front in the home buying process, the more transparent it becomes, removing tension, the possibility of breakdown and not least cost at later stages of the sale. As HIP providers we clearly have a vested interest in this point of view, but as a home buyer / seller I have to agree with the sentiment.

Why do we need an Energy Performance Certificate?

Almost half of the UK's carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy we use every day, at home and when we travel. These carbon dioxide emissions contribute to climate change and even small improvements to the energy efficiency of our homes could result in a significant reduction in these emissions. The UK government, along with many other countries have signed up to the Kyoto agreement where they commit to achieve specific reduction targets going into the future.

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of a property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A’ to ‘G’, where ‘A’ is the best and with the average to date being D/E. In effect it is similar to the energy stickers you see on white goods such as fridges and washing machines.