The physique representing assessors who perform vitality efficiency certificates testing has challenged a number of the findings in a report led by Atom Bank on the true scale of carbon emissions.
Released at this time, the study by Atom along with Experian and the University of Durham, concluded that UK banks could possibly be over-estimating the carbon emissions from properties on their mortgage books by as a lot as 50%.
It recommended that this was because of their reliance on EPC assumptions to calculate emissions, quite than meter readings.
The analysis additionally discovered that there was not a big distinction in emission between properties with one of the best and worst EPC scores.
But the The Property Energy Professionals Association, which represents the vitality assessors who give properties their EPC scores, has warned in opposition to throwing out the scheme.
It has additionally pointed to the downsides of the study’s concentrate on meter readings instead means of measuring emissions.
PEPA chair Andrew Parkin says: “EPCs are based mostly on standardised assumptions and use carbon depth information accessible on the time of evaluation.
“As the UK’s vitality combine evolves—significantly with the decarbonisation of electrical energy—the carbon components utilized in EPC calculations can grow to be outdated.
“The EPC Reform Consultation is analyzing whether or not we have to cut back the 10-year validity interval of EPCs and this analysis means that they need to be considerably decreased.”
PEPA is in help of decreasing it to a few or 5 years.
Parkin additionally factors out that occupancy ranges and behavior of house house owners should not captured in EPCs.
He says: “It is crucial to recognise that EPCs don’t measure precise vitality consumption.
“They estimate the vitality required to keep up an affordable stage of consolation in a property, assuming customary occupancy and utilization patterns.
“Comparing EPC estimates with precise meter readings conflates two essentially completely different metrics.
“Actual utilization is influenced by occupant behaviour, affordability and life-style decisions—none of which EPCs are designed to seize.”
Parkin says the statement that properties throughout EPC bands A to G might use related quantities of vitality is “intriguing however have to be interpreted with warning”.
Financial restrictions may imply that these in lower-rated properties, significantly these housing households in gasoline poverty, use much less vitality.
He says: “These households might under-heat their properties, resulting in decrease precise consumption however poorer well being and wellbeing outcomes.
“EPCs estimate what vitality ought to be used to attain consolation—not what is definitely spent.”
Parkin argues that policymakers and stakeholders mustn’t focus solely on precise vitality use within the drive in direction of web zero.
He says: “EPCs play an important function in figuring out the place enhancements could be made to scale back vitality demand and enhance constructing efficiency.”
