To tackle water waste and drive efficiency, we’re calling for an update to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) to include water-saving measures.
With 80% of the 2050 housing stock already built, improving water efficiency in existing homes is essential. Evidence shows that combining advice with water-efficient upgrades can cut water use by at least 10%.
Our key policy ask
The Energy Performance Certificate should be updated to include water efficiency.
Why is this important?
Around 80% of the homes that will exist in 2050 have already been built. So if we want to significantly reduce water demand we must improve water efficiency and reduce wastage in our existing building stock. Evidence from existing water company programmes, following their water-saving home visits which combine advice and replacement of inefficient fittings with water-efficient alternatives, indicates water savings of at least 10% are possible. Including water efficiency in the Energy Performance Certificate will encourage a focus on making improvements to all buildings (See strategic objective 7 here).
What’s the latest?
The consumer watchdog Which has said that the Energy Performance Certificate needs to be reviewed however the government has not committed to do this yet.
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