The Live Wire



Press Release

Public trust in Energy Performance Certificates is key to changing behaviour

3rd March 2008

Providing clear and accurate consumer information on Energy Performance Certificates will maintain public trust and help change behaviour, Northgate Information Solutions said today in a response to the government’s consultation on the validity period of Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

The response welcomed the introduction of EPCs, but called for them to be provided automatically to prospective purchases rather than on demand to promote greater use of the information. Northgate also called for the central registry of EPCs to be made available to the public online, enabling people to review the energy efficiency of any house on the market.

The response recommended that local authorities be given a powerful role in the fight against climate change, and that the government considers introducing a statutory duty to improve local energy efficiency performance. Local authorities should in turn be given access to as much information as possible to ensure they can take a leading role and deliver targeted action in their communities.

A number of homeowners have expressed dismay in the media that their EPCs failed to take into account exceptional energy efficiency measures that had been installed. This is likely to intensify as the volume of EPCs rises. Northgate’s response called on the government to consider a range of measures to maintain public trust, including a ‘health warning’ on such exceptions, advice to owners of exceptionally-enhanced energy efficient houses that they could chose to undergo a more detailed energy assessment process, or amendments to the investigation process itself.

Russell Osborne, Managing Director of Land & Property at Northgate Public Services, said today:

“Our homes are responsible for 27% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions, and deep cuts are essential to meeting our targets for climate change. EPCs should play a vital role in changing attitudes to home energy efficiency, and maintaining trust in their operation is essential if consumer behaviour is to change.

“We would like to see greater transparency around the benefits as well as the possible limitations of EPCs, such as for exceptionally-enhanced homes. We also believe that additional information should be made available to consumers and local authorities as part a programme to encourage further action as well as understanding of energy efficiency measures.”

For more information:

Fellows’ Associates:
Kathy Sutton 020 7849 3403; 07966 890401; ksutton@fellowsassociates.com
Naomi Stevenson 020 7849 3508; 07966 890403; nstevenson@fellowsassociates.com



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Northgate Information Solutions

Northgate Information Solutions

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