The agency that conducted a certificate of energy performance testing on behalf of assessors questioned some of the findings in the report on the scale of carbon emissions led by Atom Bank.
The study, released by Atom, along with the University of Experian and Durham, concluded that UK banks could exceed the mortgage books’ carbon emissions by as much as 50%.
It shows that this is due to their reliance on EPC assumptions to calculate emissions rather than meter readings.
The study also found no significant differences in emissions between homes with the best and worst EPC ratings.
However, the Association of Property Energy Professionals, which represents energy evaluators who have given their EPC ratings, warned not to abandon the program.
It also noted that the downside of the study is the meter readings, another way to measure emissions.
PEPA Chairman Andrew Parkin said: “EPCS is based on standardized assumptions and uses carbon intensity data available at the time of evaluation.
“As the development of energy mixing in the UK (especially with decarbonization of electricity), the carbon factors used in EPC calculations may have been outdated.
“The EPC reform consulting is examining whether we need to reduce the 10-year validity period of EPC, and this study shows that they should be greatly reduced.”
PEPA support reduces it to three to five years.
Parkin also noted that the occupancy level and behavior of homeowners were not captured in the EPC.
“It must be recognized that EPC cannot measure actual energy consumption.
“They estimate have standard occupancy and usage patterns that can estimate the energy required to maintain a reasonable level of comfort in the property.
“Compare EPC estimates with actual meter readings to confuse two fundamentally different metrics.
“Practical usage is affected by occupant behavior, affordability and lifestyle choices without EPCs used for capture.”
Parkin said that it is “attractive to use similar energy in the EPC band A to G” homes that may use similar energy, but must be explained with caution.
Financial restrictions may mean that those on lower properties, especially those with fuel impoverished housing households, use less energy.
“These families may heat up in the house, resulting in lower actual consumption, but poor health and well-being outcomes.
“EPC estimates which energy should be used to achieve comfort, not what is actually spent.”
Parkin believes policy makers and stakeholders should not just focus on driving net zero actual energy use.
“EPCS plays a crucial role in identifying where improvements can be made to reduce energy demand and improve building performance,” he said.
