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Written question asked by Lord Whitehead (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 July 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 July 2019. It was answered by Chris Skidmore (Conservative) on Tuesday, 16 July 2019 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Energy Performance Certificates

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Department's consultation, Energy performance certificate in buildings: call for evidence, published in October 2018, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of off-grid properties switching from lower carbon to higher carbon forms of heating in order to obtain a higher energy performance certificate rating.

Answer

The replacement of a heating system must always be carried out in accordance with Building Regulations. Replacing an existing appliance with a less carbon efficient one is not compliant with Building Regulations and any suspected breaches of this should be reported to Building Control in the appropriate Local Authority. Replacing a heating system with a higher carbon option will not be given as a recommended measure to improve the building’s rating on an EPC as this would be contrary to Building Regulations.

The Domestic Buildings Services Compliance Guide (2013) provides further information on this: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/697525/DBSCG_secure.pdf.

We are considering the responses to our call for evidence on EPCs and will respond in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
275644
Session
2017-19
Subjects
Housing Heating Energy performance certificates
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk