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Energy Performance Certificates
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows an asset rating which is a numerical and colour coded indication of the energy performance of the building based on its standardised use. Energy Performance Certificates include these benchmarks to enable buildings to be compared with one another.
Asset ratings are calculated taking into account the energy performance of the buildings fabric and its services (i.e. heating, cooling, hot water, ventilation and lighting).
What other information is provided?
EPCs must be accompanied by a recommendations report, which provides recommendations for the improvement of the energy performance of the building. National Energy Rating can provide advice and guidance, following an initial assessment, of the best options for improving the asset rating of a building.
Who can produce an EPC?
An EPC must be prepared by an energy assessor who is a member of a Government approved accreditation scheme. These schemes also provide the service to formally lodge an EPC onto the central database.
How long is an EPC valid for?
An EPC is valid for up to 10 years – unless a refurbishment of the buildings fabric or services has been undertaken in which case a new EPC can be commissioned to provide a more up-to-date EPC for the relevant building.
What if there are separate units within a building?
An EPC for a separate unit within one building may be based on the assessment of a representative unit. If there is a common heating system, the whole building can be certified as one. An EPC can also be commissioned on a part of a building; for example where there may be several floors leased to various tenants and one becomes vacant an EPC can be undertaken on the vacant part of the building in isolation.
Which buildings do not require certification?
The following types of property are all exempt from the process:
- Lease renewals, lease restructuring (unless the floor is modified or the space refurbished) or surrendering.
- CPOs – Compulsory Purchase Orders
- Buildings that are less than 50m2 in size – those that are temporary structures or where evidence can be provided that the building is set for demolition.
The exemption also extends to places of worship and certain buildings with low energy demand, or where energy is not used in conditioning the internal climate in terms of heating, ventilation or cooling.
What Are The Penalties For Not Having An EPC?
Local Trading Standards Officers have the powers to enforce the regulations. Fines for the failure to produce an EPC can range between £500 and £5,000 depending on the properties rateable value and an EPC will still be required.
For further information click on one of the property types below.
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Effectively plan assessment and Energy Performance Certification to comply with present EPBD statutory requirements.
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Advise where quick win improvements can reduce energy costs.
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Help you implement improvement measures if you so wish.
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Dates For Statutory Compliance
The dates for the phasing in of the Energy Performance Of Buildings Directive is provided in the table below:
Additional legislation is already under review and is sure to follow. If you want to be kept up to date join our legislation watch scheme and we will send you a regular update outlining any proposed legislation affecting the commercial sector and when it is due to come into force. An EPC for a building that is to be sold or rented out must be provided at the earliest opportunity.You do not need to provide an EPC if you have reasonable grounds to believe that the prospective buyer or tenant cannot afford or is not serious about the transaction or you are not likely to be prepared to sell the building to them.
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