To produce an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for a domestic property (dwelling), an accredited Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) will need to visit your home.  During the visit the assessor will collect the evidence that they need to produce the EPC.

The assessor will be looking to see how energy efficient your property is.  They will look at:

• The construction of the building including walls, roof, windows and any extensions;
• The size and layout of your home;
• Evidence of retrofit improvements (alterations that have been made after the house was built);
• The types of lighting;
• The heating system including radiators, controls like programmers, TRVs and room thermostats;
• The hot water system including how the water is heated, stored and used;
• Any thermal insulation measures present;
• Any renewable energy systems installed.

The assessor is only interested in things that are part of the building.  They cannot consider items that do not form part of the building e.g. portable heaters.

The survey is a visual inspection.  The assessor will not consider whether or not the things they find are safe, serviceable, effective or functional.  It is assumed that all the systems found are installed correctly.

Energy Performance Certificates are asset ratings.  The modelling process makes assumptions about how each property is used.  These are standardised and may not reflect the actual use or energy consumption of the property.

During the visit, the assessor will need access to all of the property (including any lofts or cellars).  They will take certain measurements to work out the Gross Internal Area (GIA).  They will also need to take some photographs to record the evidence they find.   All EPCs are subject to a government mandated quality assurance process (auditing) where this evidence is checked by accreditation schemes.