If you're buying a home after 1 August 2007, you can expect to find an Energy Performance Certificate as part of the Home Information Pack for the house you're considering buying.

The certificates are commissioned by the seller (or their agent) from an accredited Energy Assessor, who visits the property to collect the relevant data and creates the certificate. This data includes the date, construction and location of the house and relevant fittings (heating systems, insulation or double glazing, for example).