Firstly EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate and it is basically an official document that assesses and provides a numerical/alphabetical rating based on its current energy performance and carbon dioxide emissions. There is also an accompanying report that details ways in which to improve the energy efficiency of the property. Any EPC certificate has to be conducted by a certified EPC Assessor and be in line with established rules (LN 261/2008) plus to be valid it must be registered with the Malta Resources Authority (MRA).
Yes, EPC certificates became compulsory for all dwellings being sold or rented as from 02/01/2009 and as from 01/03/2018 there are new Maltese laws enforcing EPC certificates.
For non-dwellings, EPCs are compulsory for buildings being sold, rented or if they have requested MEPA development permission to be newly constructed or undergo a change of use as from 01/06/2009.
An EPC certificate should be provided by the owner when a “building is constructed, sold, rented out or when major renovation/alteration is being carried out”. This EPC has to be provided by the owners to any potential buyers or tenants so that they are aware of the energy efficiency of the home and are then able to compare to other properties they are considering. It is important to note that the owners are not obliged by law to implement the suggested improvements in the EPC certificate. However they are a very useful guide as to what could be done to improve the energy rating of the dwelling in the future.
The certificate will show the calculated ‘Energy Use’ for that specific building or property for a year as well as the ‘Carbon Dioxide Emissions’. An important factor to remember here is the lower the results on the sliding scale diagram (for Dwellings) the more energy efficient the home or property is and the less it would cost to run on an annual basis.
The CO2 emissions are an indication of how much Carbon Dioxide the property produces per year based on the energy consumption and it, therefore, gives a clear idea of the impact the dwelling has on the environment. The lower the CO2 emissions the more eco-friendly the property is. The EPC for non-dwellings has a vertical A to G scale with A being the best energy rating and G the least efficient.
10 years as long as there are no major renovations or allegations to the building or dwelling.
When installing windows, use double or triple glazing to prevent heat transfer whilst still allowing light to pass through. Think about using shading options such as louvres or awnings especially for south facing properties and those that are positioned to the west as these get the afternoon sun when it is at its hottest. It is recommended that any roof area is painted a colour that reflects heat sunlight as silver or white. The use of rainwater (often referred to as “grey water”) is very useful for the flushing of toilets and watering any garden or landscaped area. For hot water, the installation of Solar Water Heaters is encouraged to help reduce energy consumption and appliances burning gas sous fuels are preferred to electrical based water heating systems. For heating and cooling methods it is important to note that air-conditioning units or heat pumps offer better energy performance than any electric heaters. Also, any gas or solid fuel system can also be effective or more energy efficient than electric heaters. When it comes to lighting the technology has moved on so much in recent years especially with the introduction of LED light bulbs which are the most efficient. Where possible it is also wise to consider installing renewable energy sources where possible such as Photovoltaic Solar panels and Micro Wind Turbines.
If you have any questions about EPC certificates please get in touch with one of our team on (+356) 7928 1567 or by e-Mail at info@immobilienmalta.com