After several years with little change, emissions have started to fall in the buildings sector. However, this is probably due to people using their heating less because of higher energy prices and milder weather rather than a sign of real progress. To understand how our housing stock is changing, we need to peek behind the curtain at what is happening behind the headline emissions figures.

Currently, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are the primary tool that is used to quantify the energy performance of an individual building, but they do not tell us what we need to know.

Energy Systems Catapult has proposed significant reforms to EPCs, aiming to better align them with the nation’s climate targets. For heating installers, these changes are crucial to understand as they reshape how energy performance in homes is measured and improved.

Fit for the future

We are recommending replacing the current EPC system with three new metrics that offer a more comprehensive evaluation:

• Energy use: To indicate the predicted total energy consumption of a building’s fixed elements, such as heating and insulation. For installers, this means a shift towards promoting systems that optimise energy use, as properties with lower energy demands will score better under this new measure
• Climate impact: To gauge the carbon emissions attributable to the energy used by a property. As heating accounts for a significant portion of household emissions, installers should focus on recommending and installing low carbon heating systems, such as heat pumps. The aim is to reduce a property’s carbon footprint, improving its rating, and contributing to broader environmental goals
• Energy cost: To estimate the expected cost of energy bills based on the property’s energy use. With energy prices fluctuating, this measure becomes critical for homeowners. Installers can play a key role in advising on cost-effective solutions that provide long-term savings, such as smart heating controls or more efficient boilers.

Implications for heating installers

The proposed changes are not just about updating EPCs; they represent a fundamental shift in how energy performance is perceived and managed. Heating installers are at the forefront of this transition. Here’s how you can support homeowners:

• Expert guidance: Homeowners will rely on your expertise to navigate these new metrics. Providing advice on how different heating systems affect energy use, climate impact, and energy costs will be vital
• Focus on low-carbon solutions: With the increased emphasis on climate impact, there will be a growing demand for low-carbon heating options. Familiarise yourself with technologies like heat pumps and underfloor heating to meet this demand
• Educate on benefits: Long-term savings and improved EPC ratings from energy efficient systems should be a key part of your pitch. Along with these benefits, it’s crucial to ensure that homeowners can access any grants or support available to them.

The future of EPCs and smart homes

Looking ahead, the Catapult is exploring the potential integration of a Smart Building Rating. This would assess a building’s ability to interact with energy grids, making the most of periods when renewable energy is plentiful. Heating systems that can adapt to these conditions, like those with smart controls, will likely become more valuable in the market.

Furthermore, the concept of Digital Building Passports could soon centralise all energy-related information about a property.

The move towards Digital Building Passports could revolutionise how energy performance data is stored and used. This digital record would track all energy-related improvements made to a property, offering a clear history that can inform future upgrades.

For installers, this means being able to provide more targeted advice and ensuring that their work aligns with longer term energy efficiency goals.

The proposed EPC reforms are necessary to address the shortcomings of the current system, which often fails to accurately reflect a home’s energy performance or guide meaningful improvements. The existing EPCs primarily focus on estimated fuel costs, which can be misleading and do not fully account for a building’s carbon emissions or overall energy efficiency.

Facing future challenges

These reforms are not merely updates to an outdated system, they represent a fundamental shift in how energy performance is perceived and managed, and they are necessary to meet the challenges of the future.

Heating installers are central to this transition, as they will help implement the solutions that drive the UK towards its net-zero goals. By embracing these changes and staying ahead of the curve, installers can ensure they remain critical players in a rapidly evolving market.