EPC benefits 'not yet felt'
The roll-out of Home Improvement Packs (Hips) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) has not yet had a dramatic effect on the value of homes, construction experts have claimed.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said that Hips and EPCs were only taking slow effect on people's perceptions of home energy efficiency, and would need time to fulfil the high hopes invested in them.
John Slaughter, director of external affairs for the HBF, said that the environmental benefits of a home that scores highly in the EPC were not yet factoring themselves into prices – as house-hunters have shown little interest in the rating.
"I think the hope is, on the part of the government, that will become more of a consideration. But I think it's fair to say that up until now, it hasn't been a material factor for people in their choice of home or anything like that," he said.
He added that environmental concerns would eventually gain ground, but explained: "Overall, questions like location, affordability, number of bedrooms – they're always going to rank ahead of these considerations traditionally."
From October 2008, all rental properties will require an EPC, allowing tenants to take into account the environmental rating of their prospective home in the same way as home-buyers can.
Published 10th January, 2008
© 2008 Estates IT Limited
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The roll-out of Home Improvement Packs (Hips) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) has not yet had a dramatic effect on the value of homes, construction experts have claimed.