Home Efficiency Rating

On June 14th 2006, BBC News wrote this article on a new energy efficiency rating system for homes. Instead of remodeling the kitchen to increase value, maybe people will choose to improve the energy efficiency of their home!

Every house sold in England and Wales will be given an energy efficiency rating like those found on electrical goods, the government will announce. The Energy Performance Certificate will be part of the new Home Information Packs being introduced next June. The reports, prepared by an independent inspector, will give houses an A to G rating, with A being the best. They will show energy efficiency and the impact of a house on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide.

Homes use about a third of the UK's total energy requirements and scientists say that must be reduced significantly to help avoid climate change.

Housing minister Yvette Cooper said that, as well as helping buyers and sellers to cut carbon emissions, it would also help them to cut bills. "Given the growing challenge from climate change and rising energy costs, I think people should be entitled to this kind of information about the home they buy," she said. "You can get this kind of consumer information on fridges and washing machines so why not on a home where the emissions - and the savings - are so much greater?"