While trade body agrees with much of findings, it bemoans lack of engagement and inaccuracies.
The Property Energy Professionals Association (PEPA) has read with interest the recommendations that Which? has recently published in respect of EPCs. PEPA, which represents the Government appointed accreditation schemes for energy assessors, agrees with many of the findings, in particular in respect of EPCs having more than one headline metric and more helping to provide more information and advice relevant to individual properties. However, the Association takes issue with some of the assertions in respect of the accuracy of EPCs and auditing of assessors contained in their release.
Andrew Parkin, Chair of PEPA said : ‘We were not invited by Which? to input into this work, which we would happily have done, and indeed would have been able to provide valuable information to assist them with their research. PEPA has been pushing hard for many of the reforms that Which? advocates for several years, and is pleased that a number of initiatives are now underway, including the new Home Energy Model software development. But, we are disappointed to read that a well-worn and outdated phrase has been repeated in their release that states ‘There is now considerable evidence that EPCs do not provide an accurate assessment of the energy efficiency of a home’. We would like to see this evidence, and indeed that it doesn’t come from a lack of understanding of what an EPC does and does not do. Further, schemes have now been engaged in smart auditing of assessors for a number of years, and we would happily have shared how this works with Which? had they given us the opportunity to do so.’
PEPA is clear that the outcome Which? seeks in respect of EPCs fulfilling a vital role in underpinning specific advice to help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their carbon footprint is totally in alignment with PEPA’s manifesto. Working together may have provided a more accurate report and a better overall result.