What is an EPC?
An
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is an assessment of the energy performance of a building. An EPC will give you information on how energy-efficient your home or rental property is, as well as any recommendations on how to
improve energy efficiency. An EPC will provide ratings for both the overall energy efficiency of the building and the environmental impact of the building, with both ratings ranging from A (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient).
Why Do Homeowners and Landlords in Blandford Need One?
In Blandford, all homes must have an up-to-date EPC before they can be sold or rented out. This requirement has been put in place by the government in order to reduce carbon emissions from properties and help the UK reach its climate change goals. Additionally, the cost savings associated with improving a home’s energy efficiency can be substantial – up to £275 per year according to recent reports! As such, having an up-to-date EPC can provide homeowners and landlords with both financial savings and peace of mind knowing that their property meets government regulations.
Benefits of Having an EPC
Having an Energy Performance Certificate can provide many benefits for homeowners and landlords alike. For starters, it provides peace of mind knowing that your property meets all government regulations regarding energy efficiency. This not only ensures compliance with current legislation but also provides valuable data for future improvements – allowing you to save money on your utility bills over time! Additionally, having an up-to-date EPC allows potential buyers or tenants to get a better understanding of what kind of energy efficiency rating your property has – providing them with more confidence when making their decision.
What Access Does an EPC Assessor Need?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessor, also known as an energy surveyor, conducts evaluations of properties to determine their energy efficiency. When inspecting a property, an EPC assessor generally requires access to the following areas:
- Exterior of the property: This is to check insulation and materials used in the construction of walls, roofs, windows, doors, and so on.
- Interior of the property: This includes all rooms and hallways to check for insulation, glazing type of windows, type and condition of doors, etc.
- Heating system: This includes the boiler, radiators or underfloor heating systems, and controls like thermostats and timers.
- Ventilation system: If any, including air conditioning units, extractor fans, etc.
- Hot water system: Including the hot water cylinder and any associated controls.
- Lighting: The type of light bulbs used throughout the property.
- Loft: To assess the level and type of insulation.
- Basement/cellar: If present, to assess construction type, insulation, and potential areas of heat loss.
- Renewable technology: Any renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, etc.
EPC data for Blandford
Figures below are for Dorset, the local authority covering Blandford, from the Energy Performance of Buildings Register to 2026 Q2.
6,808EPCs reach their 10-year expiry in the next 12 months
Band CThe most common rating, on 42% of certificates
53%Rated D or below, against 46% nationally
£1,144Average estimated heating cost a year
That expiry count is certificates lodged ten years ago and now coming up for renewal. Some of those homes have already been re-certified since, which authority-level data cannot show, so treat it as the ceiling rather than a to-do list.
How Dorset rates
Share of the 45,057 certificates lodged in the five years to 2026 Q2. This is the certificates lodged, not a survey of every home in the area.
What gets assessed around here
59% of the certificates lodged here are for houses. The average floor area is 97.8m², roughly 13m² larger than the England and Wales average. Estimated heating costs average £1,144 a year, £205 a year above the national figure. 23% of certificates were lodged for rented homes.
Radon in Blandford
Blandford sits in the lowest radon band. The UKHSA and British Geological Survey estimate that less than 1 in 100 homes in the 1km square covering the town centre reach the radon action level of 200 becquerels per cubic metre. Radon is not part of an EPC survey and does not affect the rating. At this level it is not usually a concern, though individual homes can still vary. The atlas is indicative and works to a 1km grid, so it describes the area rather than any one property.
Listed buildings and conservation areas
Planning records published for the area within a mile of Blandford centre show 2 conservation areas, 226 listed buildings and 1 article 4 direction area. That matters for an EPC in two ways. A listed building is normally exempt from needing one where meeting the minimum energy requirements would unacceptably alter its character or appearance, though the exemption is not automatic and the decision rests with the owner on advice. And in conservation areas and article 4 areas the improvements an EPC recommends, replacement glazing or external wall insulation in particular, often need consent before they can be carried out. Your assessor will record what is actually there; the consent question is one for the council.
What an EPC costs in Blandford
An EPC around here generally costs between £65 and £160, though it depends on the property: floor area, whether there are rooms in the roof, extensions, and how far the assessor travels all move the price. We are not a panel and we do not set anybody's fees, so the figure you are quoted comes from the assessor doing the work. Contact one above for a price on your property.
