Council raises awareness on energy performance and reducing home heating costs

The purpose was to promote the need and benefits of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for properties and to identify Lisburn City Council as the enforcing body for failure to comply with the current legislation.

Over 50 local estate agents and solicitors were invited to promote this Government-led initiative which is designed to make their clients more aware of EPCs. The certificates will provide home owners and tenants of rented property with the energy efficiency information they need to help reduce home heating costs.

An EPC measures the overall energy efficiency of a building. It is similar to energy ratings people see on fridges or washing machines.

Councillor Paul Stewart, Vice-Chairman of the Council’s Planning Committee, said: “This is an important issue for the property market in Lisburn City. Energy efficiency and fuel poverty are very topical matters at the moment, particularly following recent fuel cost hikes. It is estimated that it costs more for people in Northern Ireland to heat their buildings than anywhere else in the UK. “Potential homeowners and those living in rented accommodation need to know just how energy efficient their buildings are when buying or entering into a rental agreement. EPCs and the energy improvement reports that accompany them have been introduced to provide that information.”

The Energy Performance of Buildings legislation (2008) is designed to help reduce carbon emissions by lowering energy usage in all buildings and conserve power reserves.

Assessors are required to carry out energy assessments of buildings and include an advisory report containing a list of recommendations for possible improvements to help improve the energy performance of a property. These improvements can make buildings more efficient and less costly to heat. A list of domestic energy assessors can be found at www.epbniregister.com

Lisburn Building Control will be involved in checking compliance with the legislation as it is compulsory to provide an EPC for all newly constructed properties and any property being marketed for sale or rent. Homeowners selling property or landlords who are marketing their property for rent without a valid EPC and recommendation report could be liable for a fine.

Further information about Energy Performance Certificates is available by contacting Lisburn City Council Building Control Department at 9250 9373, or the EPB team at Freephone 08000223004 or email Lisburn Building Control at [email protected]