Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
An EPC indicates the energy performance of a residential or non-residential building. It reflects the amount of energy required for typical operation, similar to the energy label used for household appliances.
Buildings are assigned a rating, where values closer to zero indicate higher efficiency. In some cases, a negative rating may be achieved where a building generates more energy than it consumes.
There are two different EPC ratings depending on the condition of the property. The Design EPC is issued before or during the planning and construction phase of a new building whereas the Asset EPC evaluates the building's energy performance after it is completely constructed, finished, and its mechanical/electrical systems are installed.
There are different reasons for when an EPC is required, namely:
Newly Designed Buildings
A person or agent acting on behalf of such person who commissions the design of a new dwelling or building has to obtain an EPC based on the design rating of the building and in the form prescribed in the Regulations by the date that an application for a full development permission is submitted to the Planning Authority.
- Dwellings – 02/01/2009
- All other buildings – 01/06/2009
Sale or Rent of Buildings
A person or agent acting on behalf of such person who offers for sale or letting a building, shall show the EPC or a copy thereof to the prospective buyer/tenant and hand it over to the buyer/tenant, at the latest, before the date of entering the promise of sale or rent agreement. This shall be based on the design rating of the building if the building is not yet constructed and finished, or the asset rating if the building is already constructed and finished.
The registration fee is €75.00 for both dwelling and non-dwelling EPC, excluding assessors’ professional fees.
- Dwellings – 02/01/2009
- All other buildings – 01/06/2009
Public Buildings
As from 02/09/2009, all public entities that are occupying a building and are providing public services to a large number of persons are to ensure that an EPC based on the asset rating of the building is commissioned and displayed at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public. The EPC has to be on display by not later than the 02/01/2010.
All new public buildings are to have an EPC not later than 12 months after connection to the electric power grid.
The EPC is to be reviewed after the first ten years.
Obtaining an EPC
To be valid, the EPC has to be obtained from an assessor and registered with the Building and Construction Authority before being issued to the person who commissions it.
For a full list of registered dwellings and non-dwellings assessors, please visit the following link: Find an Assessor
Once an EPC is registered, it shall be valid for the following timeframes (unless major renovations or alterations to the building/installation have taken place):
Sample Documents
A sample EPC can be downloaded for reference. Please note that this is provided as an example of a typical certificate layout. Each property is issued with a unique certificate reflecting its specific characteristics and energy performance.
To view a sample DWELLING Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) please click here.
To view a sample NON-DWELLING Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) please click here
Note that the recommendations are given only for illustration purposes and may be totally different or unsuitable for real buildings.