Putting energy to good use

One of the awesome things about house hunting here is the energy performance certificate available for each house on the market. It's a seven-page standardized document that looks at the house's current energy use and carbon dioxide emissions and how those might decrease if a list of recommendations is pursued. The cost of each recommendation is estimated, as well as the size of the energy rating reduction and annual cost savings.

For example, one of the houses on the list of finalists has an energy rating of 33, which could potentially hit 51 if for example the boiler were replaced with a high efficiency boiler (at a cost of between 2,200 and 3,000 pounds). Our most energy efficient house is currently rated 66, with a potential for a 73 if cavity wall and floor insulation were added.

Can you imagine someone buying a McMansion in the U.S. weighing the EPC rating? Or builders thinking about the rating when they design that three-story glass atrium?
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