eg magazine sustainability, resource efficiency & climate change

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/epceffectivenessconsult

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) and Display Energy Certificates (DEC) have an important role to play in supporting our carbon reduction aims by providing vital information about the energy efficiency of buildings in England and Wales, together with advice about measures to improve their energy performance. To enhance their contribution, the Department for Communities and Local Government is consulting on a number of measures to help improve the effectiveness of EPCs and to make better use of energy performance data. Comments are requested by 25 May 2010. The following related publications have also been published:

Making better use of energy performance data: Impact Assessment

This impact assessment examines the risks of proposed measures designed to help improve the effectiveness of EPCs and to make better use of energy performance data.

Proposals for extending Display Energy Certificates (DEC) to commercial buildings: Impact Assessment

The policy objective is to extend the use of DECs to the commercial sector. The proposal is intended to bring a number of benefits, including giving owners and building users: a better understanding of their CO2 emissions and energy usage; information on how they could improve the energy efficiency of the building; and a greater awareness of the energy efficiency of buildings. The proposal is designed to give Government a better understanding of where carbon emissions reduction potential lies, in order to form the basis for further policy to cut emissions.

Proposals for requiring Energy Performance Certificate ratings to be displayed on all property advertisements: Impact Assessment

At present, EPC ratings must be included in the written particulars of dwellings that are being marketed for sale if they include two of the following: a photograph of the building or any room in the building; a floor plan of the building; or a description of the size of the rooms in the building. EPC ratings are not required on property advertisements. This means that people are less likely to be aware of the information in an EPC and take the information into account when looking for a property to rent or buy. In order for people to take energy efficiency seriously and factor it in to decision making on property choices the energy rating of the property needs to be more visible.

Requiring energy performance certificates (EPCs) for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs): Impact Assessment

This impact assessment will require owners of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to make energy performance certificates available when renting out rooms in HMOs to prospective tenants. This will improve awareness of energy efficiency, giving tenants and landlords more information about the energy performance of the property.

Requiring Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for short term holiday lets: Impact Assessment

This impact assessment will require owners of short term holiday lets to make Energy Performance Certificates available. This will improve awareness of energy efficiency, giving the property owner and the public more information about the energy performance of the property.

Clarifying when an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required on the sale or letting of buildings: Impact Assessment

This impact assessment looks at the Government's proposals to clarify when an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required on the sale or letting of buildings.

Mandatory lodgement of air conditioning inspection reports: Impact Assessment

This impact assessment considers the policy decision on whether to extend the scope of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) England and Wales) Regulations 2007 to make lodgement of air conditioning reports on the England and Wales non-domestic EPC register mandatory.