More information about EPCs
Our Practice is an accredited assessor and therefore we are in a position to issue EPC and DEC certificates subject of course to the assessment.
If you are not sure if you or your client require EPC or DEC please feel free to contact us and we will help you with new Regulation.
Energy Performance Certificate - Commercial Property
- In April 2008 new legislation came into force which means commercial and public buildings throughout England and Wales will need an energy certificate to rate their energy performance.
- From 6th April 2008 those buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 10,000m2 require Energy Performance Certificate on construction, sale or rent.*
- From 1st July 2008 those buildings with a total floor area greater than 2,500m2 will require Energy Performance Certificate on construction, sale or rent.*
- From 1st October 2008 all remaining buildings that are not dwellings will require Energy Performance Certificate on construction, sale or rent.
* The Government recently announced transitional arrangements for buildings already on the market at 6th April; any building which is on the market before then and remains on the market afterwards will need an Energy Performance Certificate by 1st October at the latest.
These certificates must be produced by an accredited Energy Assessor.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - Legislation
When a building is constructed, sold or rented out an EPC must be made available by the contractor, seller or landlord, free of charge to the prospective occupier, tenant or buyer. An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building.
An EPC is only required for a building when constructed, (modification includes the provision or extension of fixed services), sold or let.
Information Required For An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
The energy assessor will need to understand the internal layout of the building and for what purposes it is designed to be used. This is to understand the energy demands of each individual space (zone) in accordance with its designed use.
The information that will be required to produce an EPC includes:
- the individual spaces or zones in use within the building, and their drawings with dimensions (either as verified from plans or as measured). This information is most readily provided by building plans.
- the activities conducted within the zones. Examples of zones include retail space, office space, kitchens, storage etc.
- the heating and ventilation services for each zone (including type of system, specification of the equipment , efficiencies, metering, controls, fuel used etc.).
- the lighting and controls used for each zone.
- the construction of the fabric of the building and thermal efficiency of the materials used: roof, floors, walls and glazing.
- the thermal bridge information.
If there are no plans for a building, the energy assessor will need to survey the building and gather the appropriate information. If you have up-to-date information and plans for your building this process will be less time-consuming.
Display Energy Certificate (DEC) Public Buildings
The purpose of introducing Display Energy Certificates (DEC's) is to raise public awareness of energy use and to inform visitors to public buildings about the energy use of a building. DEC's provide an energy rating of the building from A to G and are based on the actual amount of metered energy used by the building over a period of 12 months.
An affected organisation must display a DEC in a prominent place clearly visible to the public and have in its possession or control a valid advisory report. The advisory report contains recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building.
- By 1st October 2008 if you are an occupier of a building requiring a DEC, you will need to display a DEC showing an Operational Rating in a prominent place clearly visible to the public.
- By 1st October 2008 you will also need to have in your possession or control a valid advisory report.
The criteria for whether a DEC is required are:
- A building (or part of a building which is designed or altered to be used separately) with a total useful floor area of over 1000m2.
- This building must be occupied by either: A Public authority or institution providing a public service.
- The buildings must also be frequently visited.
If there are no plans for a building, the energy assessor will need to survey the building and gather the appropriate information. If you have your building already surveyed this process will be less time-consuming.
If you require a DEC, you will need to collect information to be ready for the assessment. You should also check whether you have correctly interpreted the CLG guidance and identified the building or buildings for which you will need to display a DEC. You may need to confirm this with an accredited energy assessor.