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Energy Performance Certificate FAQs

Why are you required to have a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate?

As part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), it is now a legal requirement to possess an Energy Performance Certificate for commercial buildings (classed as non-dwellings) that you construct, lease or sell. 


What is the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)?

 

 

This is a legal EU Directive, introduced in January 2006 with a 3 year implementation period.

What is its objective?

 

 

It aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions as part of the Government's strategy towards a sustainable environment and to meet climate change targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

What is the mechanism used to deliver the EPBD in non-dwellings?

 

 

There are 2 types of energy certification for new and existing non-dwellings which are:

  • Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) - These are required on construction, sale or lease of all commercial buildings.  The EPC is based on the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM). There will be no requirement to obtain an EPC for an existing tenancy.
  • Display Energy Certificates (DECs) - These are only applicable to public buildings and institutions over 1000sqm such as Council offices, Schools, Colleges, Universities and Hospitals and any other building accessed by the public. The DEC is based on actual energy usage over a rolling three year period.

What is SBEM?

SBEM stands for Simplified Building Energy Model. SBEM is a computer program that provides an analysis of a building's energy consumption. SBEM estimates the monthly energy use and carbon emissions of a building.

How long is the EPC valid for?

A commercial EPC is valid for 10 years unless major modifications to the building have been made within this time frame.

Who is responsible for commissioning an EPC?

Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that Energy Performance Certificates are available.

What properties are affected?

  • Retail Units
  • Industrial Units
  • Hotels
  • New Build Commercial Units

What are the timescales for implementation?

6 April 2008

EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000m2

1 July 2008

EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500m2

1 October 2008

EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.

Display certificates required for all public buildings above 1,000m2

4 January 2009

First inspection of all existing air conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date.

4 January 2011

First inspection of all existing air conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date.

How can an EPC help me reduce energy bills?

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives home owners, tenants and buyers information on the energy efficiency of their property. It gives the building a standard energy and carbon emission efficiency grade from ‘A' to ‘G', where ‘A' is the most efficient.

An EPC can provide suggested improvements, their approximate cost and the calculable savings per year if improvements were made.  The information provided can be used to cut your fuel bills by a significant amount.

What will happen if I don't provide an EPC?

The maximum penalty for non-compliance is currently £5,000, enforceable by Trading Standards. The penalty notice also includes the requirement to produce a valid EPC.

 

 

 
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Updates
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)
ALL buildings built after December 2018 will have to produce their own renewable energy on-site, says the European Parliament's industry committee, amending the 2002 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). read more