Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Energy Performance Certificates for Commercial Buildings

In response to the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive the Government has introduced legislation in the form of the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England & Wales) Regulations 2007.

The main aspects of the legislation are :

The application of minimum requirements on the energy performance of new buildings and large existing buildings that are subject to major renovation.
To inform purchasers and tenants about energy efficiency of a property against a national benchmark value in the form of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
EPC's are now required on the construction, sale or rent of all commercial buildings with a floor area in excess of 50 sq m.

There are however a few exceptions where EPC’s are not required on construction, sale, or rent; for example:

• Places of Worship
• Temporary buildings with a planned use of less than 2 years
• Stand alone buildings of less than 50 sq m
• Low energy demand buildings
• Buildings due to be demolished

EPC’s are however required on modification, for instance where a building has more or less parts than original, and includes provision or extension of fixed services.

The regulations will be enforced by the Local Authority's Trading Standards Department who are empowered to levy fines in the event of non-compliance.

EPC's can only be carried out and lodged on the Government's central register by an Accredited Assessor using approved software. As Chartered Building Surveyors we are accredited with RICS to carry out both level 3 and the more complex level 4 commercial EPC's which covers the majority of non-domestic buildings included in this legislation.

We are also accredited to provide Display Energy Certificates (DEC's) on buildings occupied by public bodies over 1000 sq m.

This new legislation is in its infancy, and inevitably open to interpretation. We will be happy to give guidance upon whether or not an EPC or DEC is required but will always advise that a client seeks legal advice in order to be fully assured of their responsibilities.

The current guidelines indicate an EPC should be made available to prospective tenants or purchasers as soon as a building is in the process of being offered for rent or sale.

An EPC should be seen as an important marketing tool, especially on those buildings which are energy efficient, as prospective purchasers and tenants consider energy costs as part of their decision making process.

As the EPC will have a "life" of 10 years, those clients commissioning EPC's of their complete portfolio will benefit from advantageous terms. By being in possession of an EPC they will then be in a position to market their properties without delay.

The cost of the EPC will vary considerably, depending upon the size and complexity of the building, and the amount of information made available to the assessor by the client.

In order to offer a prompt and competitive service, clients will be invited to provide us with relevant details such as up to date floor plans, information about mechanical and electrical service installations. If this information is not available, we will be able to quote for carrying out a measured survey, and/or assessing the service installations in order to provide the necessary information to input into the software and produce the EPC.

Relevant contact:

Paul Bolton FRICS FB.Eng. Building Surveying Director
Email: paulb@morrisdean.co.uk
Mobile: 07976 431763