Potential for interactive EPCs for Scotland

Interactive Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) user interfaces could allow householders to better assess potential retrofit measures, which could in turn prompt households to undertake energy efficiency measures and switch to clean heat systems.

This report aims to inform Scottish Government whether it would be beneficial to incorporate data or functionality into the national EPC register to support potential EPC interactivity.

The research explored a number of existing tools that offer a level of interactivity with EPC-like outputs and also involved a desk-based literature review.

Findings

Three levels of potential interactivity were identified to consider implementing in relation to EPCs:

1. Simple interaction, where no new user data and no integration with a calculation engine are required.
2. Medium interaction, where no new user data is required, but integration with a calculation engine is required.
3. Detailed interaction, where customised user behaviour and occupancy inputs could update outputs via integration with an enhanced calculation engine.

No direct evidence was found to support whether simpler or more detailed interaction is more likely to prompt households to retrofit.

The EPC outputs likely to be most useful to households are costs: household energy running costs, running cost savings, and the capital cost of various retrofit measures. The extent to which these outputs may be customised varies, as does the complexity of implementation.

Customising more variables may not necessarily make the outputs more representative, since the reliability of obtaining some of those inputs may be quite low. At any level of customisation, it will be necessary to inform tool users that outputs are ultimately estimates.

There are a number of existing tools that already deliver energy advice to households, which have varying levels of interactivity and customisation.

Limited evidence was identified of a direct link between the provision of customised information and households being prompted to retrofit. However, various literature sources quoting both professionals and typical consumers call for interactivity and customisation of EPCs. There is also relatable evidence that the provision of tailored information to households can prompt behavioural change. Offering households some level of interactivity alongside a traditional ‘static’ EPC could therefore be beneficial.

For further information please read the report.

If you require the report in an alternative format, such as a Word document, please contact info@climatexchange.org.uk or 0131 651 4783.

Image credit: Photo by Laurentiu Morariu on Unsplash