A homeowner in west London, Michael De Podesta, has expressed confusion and frustration after his home’s energy performance rating was incorrectly downgraded despite spending £60,000 on green upgrades. De Podesta, a chartered physicist, had installed solar panels, triple glazing, and heat pumps in his 1920s semi-detached house in Teddington, which initially earned him a B rating on his Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). However, after completing further work, his rating unexpectedly dropped to a C.
The company that conducted the assessment, Compass Property Projects, acknowledged the mistake, apologized, and restored De Podesta’s original B rating. The incident has raised concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the EPC system, which was introduced in 2007 to rate properties based on their energy efficiency. The system is crucial, as an EPC is required to sell or rent out a home, and the government plans to mandate that all rented properties achieve a minimum C rating by 2030.
Stuart Fairlie, CEO of Elmhurst Energy, which runs the software used for EPC assessments, stated that incorrect ratings are a common issue, with his company receiving hundreds of complaints. He attributed the problem to the outdated methodology used in the assessments, which prioritizes price over energy efficiency. Fairlie hopes that the government will revamp the system next year.
A previous investigation by Which? found that eight out of 11 homeowners encountered basic errors in their EPCs. De Podesta’s experience has highlighted the need for an overhaul of the EPC system to ensure that it accurately reflects the energy efficiency of properties. The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government has concluded a consultation on the topic and is currently reviewing the responses. As the UK aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, a reliable and accurate EPC system is essential to support these efforts.