Guardian Unlimited Money Property Homes to be energy rated

Homes put up for sale in England and Wales will have to carry an energy rating similar to those displayed on fridges and washing machines, the government said today.
The measures, which come into force next year, will make it easy for potential buyers to see how energy efficient a property is and encourage homeowners to reduce carbon emissions.
Energy performance certificates will rate properties from A to G for both efficiency and environmental impact, with A being the greenest. They will be included in the home information packs that sellers must provide from June 1 2007.
The reports, which will be compiled by qualified home inspectors, will include details of the estimated energy use and cost of running the property, as well as advice on how to reduce these.
For example, where a property scores badly on insulation, details of how this can be improved, and the potential energy savings available, will be outlined.
Sellers across Europe will be obliged to provide similar certificates rating the energy efficiency of their properties from January 2009 under a new EU directive.
Yvette Cooper, the housing minister, said people were entitled to these details about a property they were considering buying.
"You can get this kind of consumer information on fridges and washing machines, so why not on a home where the emissions - and the savings - are so much greater?
"By providing people with sound advice on how to improve energy efficiency, this will help sellers and buyers who want to do their bit to cut carbon emissions as well as cutting their fuel bills too."
Campaign group Friends of the Earth welcomed the introduction of the certificates, saying energy saving measures and reliance on greener fuel supplies could drastically reduce the carbon emissions from residential property, estimated to make up about 30% of greenhouse gases produced in the UK.
But the group said the government could not just rely on individuals alone to reduce energy usage.
It called for a mandatory code to ensure all new homes were carbon neutral and said the government should bring in a new target for a 3% cut in carbon emissions each year.
"Energy efficiency certificates will provide really useful information for house buyers and should provide a long-term incentive to taking action to save energy in the home," said Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner, Germana Canzi.
"It is good that the government has finally grasped the nettle on this issue, but they must now go further and introduce a mandatory code to make new homes low carbon. We need to reduce our emissions across all sectors ... if we are to make real progress on tackling climate change."Interactive guidesGlobal warmingThe slowdown of the Gulf StreamSpecial reportsSpecial report: climate changeSpecial report: G8Useful linksIPCCUN framework convention on climate