Energy Performance Certificates will be compulsory on all house sales in Northern Ireland by the end of this month.

Known as EPCs, the certificates give a property an energy rating, which is similar to the colour coded guide on electrical appliances.

The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means of improving the energy rating for all homes, and placed of work, in the Province.

Finance Minister Nigel Dodds said: "There are two major benefits of EPCs. Improvements made as a result of EPC's will help to reduce Northern Ireland’s carbon footprint."

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"Furthermore, homes that are more energy efficient should also be cheaper to run and be more attractive to prospective owners."



Mr Dodds stressed that the scheme is not merely for homeowners: "From the end of 2008 larger public buildings will have to display Energy Performance Certificates and inspections will also examine air-conditioning systems."



All new builds in Northern Ireland will have to comply with EPCs, by the end of September, and all sale and rental agreements by the end of the year.

The scheme derives from an EU energy performance directive, and brings NI in line with the rest of Europe.

Mr Dodds' department met with industry representatives earlier this year, to discuss possible implications.

At some of these seminars attendees had the opportunity to meet the Accreditation Schemes which license trained energy assessors. As well as the Awarding Bodies who provide the training and Landmark, which maintains the register of EPCs and accredited assessors.

(PR/JM)