EPC consultation ‘a watershed moment’ in Scotland’s net zero race

Scottish Government’s ‘EPC reform: consultation’ has been welcomed by Elmhurst Energy, an accreditation scheme for energy efficiency professionals, for setting out vital changes to EPCs in the move towards net zero.

Released last week, the consultation in Scotland was in stark contrast to the comment from housing secretary Michael Gove that Westminster should slow the pace of change for landlords to upgrade the energy performance of private rented homes in England and Wales to EPC band C by 2028.

Stuart Fairlie, managing director of Elmhurst Energy, said: “The Scottish Government’s EPC reform consultation is a watershed moment Scotland cannot miss if it is to achieve net zero. Elmhurst recognises this as a clear intention to move quickly on the issue, rather than slow down, so the proposals represent a very positive step forward.”

The consultation would see EPCs deliver the fabric rating and energy cost, and whether the home’s heating system is zero direct emissions compliant.

Its fabric rating would feature a new A to G label showing how well-insulated a home’s walls, roof and floor are. The cost rating will give the current A to G label alongside a score out of 100, rather than in pounds as is currently the case. Its heating system type will flag important benefits such as whether the home has a highly efficient, low-carbon heat pump

If the changes are implemented, owners and occupiers get a more accurate and detailed picture of their home’s energy efficiency – from how deep the loft insulation to what they could do to prevent heat escaping through walls.

Stuart Fairlie added: “The EPC was originally designed as a cost metric to show how cheap or expensive it is to heat a home – and nothing more. It’s clear EPCs now need to go much further, and that’s why the consultation really matters.

“The new Scottish EPC will be easier to read and understand, allowing meaningful comparisons between similar properties for prospective buyers. It will show the ‘Three Cs’ more prominently – energy cost, energy consumption and carbon emissions – which is exactly what we have been calling for.

“These new, more holistic EPC metrics will show us more clearly how well insulated the home is, how low carbon its heating system is, and how much it will all cost to run. Taken together, this is a hugely encouraging reform that will demystify this document and help Scotland reach its carbon neutral 2045 target.”

Elmhurst Energy has long been calling for a revamp to EPCs – a call it reiterated in The Elmhurst Almanac, ‘Turning the Dial’, released earlier this year, among other key asks to governments in Scotland, England and Wales.