Plans to reform domestic EPCs as advised by the Climate Change Committee were set out in the Scottish Government’s Heat in Buildings Strategy, published in 2021.

The metrics currently used on domestic EPCs are thought to be inappropriate to support potential future energy efficiency and zero direct emissions heating measures because the headline efficiency rating is based on modelled running cost, which incentivises gas heating over zero direct heating systems that typically use electricity.

The consultation, therefore, proposes a new package of domestic EPC metrics to provide more appropriate options for policies, including a Fabric Rating. This domestic EPC reform work also covers clarifying the purpose and scope of EPCs and improving EPC audit and assurance.

The consultation also covers non-domestic EPCs, including a proposal to introduce a new set of metrics understood to be more appropriate and useful to allow comparison of non-domestic building energy performance.

Zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie said EPC reforms are “long overdue”.

He added: “Our proposals will empower the public, giving people the comprehensive information they need to understand how to improve the energy efficiency of their building and reduce emissions from their heating systems. The consultation is in line with work being done elsewhere in the UK and responds directly to the advice of the Climate Change Committee on the need for clearer information about how well insulated a home is. We also propose changes to metrics that – for example – currently reward the installation of gas boilers and penalise the fitting of heat pumps.

“We want to enhance EPCs so they continue to be a valuable source of information for home buyers, owners and occupiers.

“An improved EPC system will help underpin wider reforms to cut emissions from our homes and end our dependency on volatile and increasingly expensive fossil fuels. This will be one of the overarching aims of our consultation on proposals which could inform a future Heat in Buildings Bill, and which we intend to publish later this summer.

“Scotland already has the most generous grants available of any of the UK nations for households that are switching to climate-friendly heating systems, but in every country making this vital transition, regulation is needed to steer choices about energy use and heating systems and Scotland is no different. The changes we are proposing are essential, not just in making sure that Scotland meets the climate emergency head-on but in securing our energy future, providing the jobs and skills we need, and making us all less vulnerable to volatile fossil fuel prices.”