The Government is pressing the case for the need of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Home Improvement Packs (HIPs) with the publication of the first data from the assessments.

Most four-bedroom homes assessed in the first six weeks after the regulations took effect at the beginning of August are getting an ‘E’ rating (on a scale from A to G with A being the best). However, the assessments carried out on these homes indicates that this could rise to a ‘C’ if consumers undertake the measures recommended by the inspectors.

The top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been: cavity wall insulation, changing to low energy lighting, putting thermostatic valves on radiators, loft insulation, and double glazing.

The Government says that an average four-bedroomed home with an ‘E’ rating could save up to £180 a year on heating, £60 on lighting and £30 on hot water bills.

HIPs and EPCs are currently being phased in. On 10 September, the scheme was extended to three bedroom houses. The Government has not yet announced when the rest of the domestic market will be included.

However, the cost and accuracy of the Packs is still being questioned. The Government says that the average pack is taking around 5 days to compile, with major estate agents charging in the region of £300 plus VAT for a HIP, on an upfront or deferred basis – £200 to £250 of which was already paid under the existing system.

The Law Society criticised the inclusion of three-bedroom properties so soon after the first phase began, saying that a proper evaluation to accurately monitor the first implementation phase was “essential” before extending the scheme.

RICS claimed that the introduction of HIPs was having a severe dampening effect on the market. According to a survey it carried out, the number of properties requiring a HIP coming onto the market in August more than halved in certain parts of England compared with the same month last year. RICS spokesman Jeremy Leaf said: “HIPs are having a detrimental impact on the housing market, something the Housing Minister assured us would not happen. Every region in the country is affected and we fear that this will only increase as HIPs are rolled out to three-bedroom properties.”

The introduction of EPCs for non-domestic buildings will not really begin until the system is well established in the domestic sector and the Government will be hoping that the process will go much more smoothly. However, there has been a great deal of confusion in some circles about the necessity or otherwise of immediate assessment. Those requiring a Display Energy Certificate (basically, large buildings owned by publicly funded organisations with substantial numbers of the public visiting them) will need one from next April. Others will only need an Energy Performance Certificate when the building is to be sold or let – so there may be no immediate requirement to have one.