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New
Build Home Information Packs
New Build Hips are required when
buying a new house, flat or apartment from a property developer. Usually
house builders may provide their own Home Information Pack (HIP) to the
potential home buyer, however buyers may be able to source their own new
build home information pack through a local Hip
Provider for their house purchase.
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EPC - Energy Performance Certificates for New Homes The New
Build Hip will also require an EPC
(New Build Energy
Performance Certificate) if the home is fully constructed. If the
property is only partially completed it will require a Predicted Energy Assessment.
New build homes that are marketed "off-plan" before they are actually completed do not have a full Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). If this is the case, the HIP will contain a
Predicted Energy Assessment
(PEA) as part of the pack.
When the property is fully completed it will require a full EPC, this
require a physical inspection of the home by a Domestic Energy
Assessor. |
Energy
Certificates
With
increasing energy costs for gas and electricity, for some purchasers
this in an area which will become increasingly important if they are
considering the running costs of their potential home purchase.
EPCs may also contain
recommendations for improving an existing home's energy rating and CO2
emissions. The assessors report may contain certain recommendations
particular to the property inspected. Such reports may suggest for
example that low energy lights be fitted, or cavity wall insulation
could be added, or upgrading the central heating boiler. For New Build
Homes, such recommendations are unlikely, if a property is built to the
very latest building regulations, or is a "sustainable home",
although energy saving measures which have a longer payback could still
apply, like some examples detailed below.
These recommendations may
appear on the energy report, however they are not mandatory, and so
the home owner is not under any obligation to carry out such
improvements.
Such recommendations are
designed to reduce CO2 emissions and reduce energy bills. If you
require further information about home energy saving measures and the
role of the domestic energy assessor please refer to the following
(external links):
Further
information regarding inspectors, energy certificates and ways to improve
your home's energy rating:
Energy Performance
Certificates
EPC
DEA
Domestic
Energy Assessors
CRB
Checks - Inspectors must have criminal records bureau checks.
Professional
Liability Indemnity Insurance - All inspectors must have indemnity
insurance.
Energy
Saving Tips
Energy
Saving Advice
Gas
Boiler Improvements - An inefficient central heating boiler uses more
fuel, and increases your gas bill, consider upgrading.
Loft
Insulation - Top up your insulation and save money.
Cavity
Wall Insulation - A relatively inexpensive way to improve your homes'
energy rating.
Central
Heating Controls - Proper controls of your heating system will reduce
fuel wastage, and reduce the size of your fuel bill.
Hot
Water Cylinder Jacket - If you have a hot water cylinder in your home,
is it properly lagged?
Domestic
Wind Turbines
Solar
Panels
The above links can provide tips & advice on low cost measures to
improve your home's energy performance and help save you money on utility
bills.
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