{"id":915,"date":"2015-07-16T09:44:20","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T09:44:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/sussexenergygroup\/?p=915"},"modified":"2017-05-30T13:53:12","modified_gmt":"2017-05-30T13:53:12","slug":"energy-performance-certificates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sussex.ac.uk\/sussexenergygroup\/2015\/07\/16\/energy-performance-certificates\/","title":{"rendered":"Energy Performance Certificates and renting in Brighton \u2013 From \u201cnice to know\u201d to improved houses?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Usually as a researcher I base my insights on the research and systematic empirical studies I carry out. However, on this particular occasion, the insights are of a more personal nature. Having started to do research on building energy efficiency policies about a year ago, I was interested to be faced with one specific policy instrument in the course of relocating from Finland to the UK \u2013 the Energy Performance Certificate.<\/p>\n

The Energy Performance Certificate<\/a> (EPC) provides an assessment of the level of insulation of the property, its heating system, hot water and lighting, giving an overall energy efficiency rating and an environmental impact (CO2) rating. In other words, it provides a common standard against which all buildings can be compared and measured. All European countries are mandated to have a scheme in place for EPCs of both new and existing buildings, following the European Performance of Buildings Directive<\/a>. Ideally, the EPC improves the quality of properties both for sale and let and encourages new investment on building energy efficiency through increased disclosure of information:<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough the provision of information about a buildings\u2019 energy performance, new occupiers are given the opportunity to make well-informed choices about the property thus changing the characteristics that drive value in the property market.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Of course, the EPC exists together with a range of other policy measures addressing building energy efficiency. This means that improvements in building energy efficiency, if they occur, are a result of the combined influence of a mix of policies<\/a> as well as other drivers.<\/p>\n

Needing a family home for the next two years in Brighton \u2013 the lovely seaside city with a friendly atmosphere, quaint little shops and surrounded by the beautiful South Downs \u2013 I started exploring the rental market in May. Having been a home owner in Finland for over ten years, I had mostly forgotten how the rental market works. The most useful tools in the process of finding a home are of course the various internet services. They not only enable you to check what is on the market, but also increasingly include lots of useful information, such as what school catchment areas a particular property is likely to fall into and the energy performance of the property. A number \u2013 while not all \u2013 of the real estate agencies provide the energy performance certificates online.<\/p>\n

However, choosing a house or an apartment to rent (or buy) is a complex process, where one is trying to accommodate a number of factors: the size and ambiance of the property itself, the price of course, distance to work or other key locations from the perspective of everyday life, the closeness of services, the kind of schools and nurseries that exist in the area as well as the general appearance of the street and the area itself. Thus, the EPC is just one factor among a large number of other ones influencing selection \u2013 even for someone who is actively concerned about the energy efficiency of homes.<\/p>\n

What soon became clear to me that Brighton is the sellers\u2019 market. Demand for rented property is very high. (I have also heard that the same applies when buying a property). Thus, even for me, the EPC eventually became a \u201cnice to know\u201d factor rather than being a decisive part of the process \u2013 unfortunately. I have come to the conclusion that we would need a buyers\u2019 market in order for the EPC to be effective, particularly in the rental market. However, the EPC is likely to be more influential for home owners as they will be reaping the benefits of improved energy performance not only through reduced energy bills but through other benefits, because better insulation and better windows also reduce outside noise.<\/p>\n

So, what to take out of my personal experience? For home buyers, we should keep informing about the benefits of improved energy performance and how they can profit, i.e. flagging up the EPC. For those renting their homes, I guess we just wait for the market to change\u2026 Unless, we can come up with policy packages that better connect EPCs with benefits to the landlords. What is clear, however, is that in the looming absence of a Zero Carbon Homes target<\/a>, the EPC is not going to fill the void.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Photograph<\/a>Dr.\u00a0 Kivimaa is Senior Research Fellow at SPRU working for the Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand (CIED). Her previous research ranges from climate, energy and environmental policy analysis from the perspective of innovation to\u00a0\u00a0examining change and\u00a0stability in energy and transport systems.\u00a0Her current research interests include policy analysis from low-carbon innovation and transition perspectives as well as policy\u00a0complementing approaches to support low-carbon innovation, such as \u00a0intermediation.\u00a0She has a BSc in Environmental\u00a0Science & Business Management (University of Westminster, 1997-2000), an MSc \u00a0in Environmental Technology (Imperial College, 2001-2002) and a PhD in Organisations and Management (Helsinki School of Economics, 2004-2008). Prior to joining SPRU she has worked for 12 years as a researcher in the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). She has since 2012 been Docent in the Department of Management and International Business at the Aalto University School of Business, Helsinki.<\/h6>\nFollow Sussex Energy Group \"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"linkedin\"<\/a><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Usually as a researcher I base my insights on the research and systematic empirical studies I carry out. However, on this particular occasion, the insights are of a more personal nature. Having started to do research on building energy efficiency…<\/span><\/p>\n

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