Energy Performance of Buildings: Certificates and Inspections
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides information on the energy performance of a building. The EPC will give the building a grading ranging from A to G (‘A’ being very energy efficient while ‘G’ is inefficient). It must be accompanied by an advisory report giving recommendations for cost-effective actions to improve the rating.
JPA can now offer an EPC Assessment Service; the asset ratings of buildings are calculated using IES VE software, which is also used for assessing compliance with Part L of the Building Regulations.
- For commercial lettings an EPC is valid for 10 years and is only required for newly leased property.
- Landlords and property managers are responsible for obtaining the EPC.
- There is no need to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate for an existing tenancy and if a valid EPC exists when changing tenants then no new certificate is required.
- It has been estimated the typical costs will range from £260 for a small retail unit through to £480 for a small commercial building to £1,790 for a large commercial building
Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Timeline
| Commercial | |
| 4 January 2006 | EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) implemented in UK |
| 6 April 2006 | New and refurbished buildings to meet energy conservation standards (Part L 2006). |
| 6 April 2008 | EPCs required for construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000m2. |
| 1 July 2008 | EPCs required for construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500m2. |
| 1 October 2008 | EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.Display Energy Certificate (DEC) is required annually for public buildings >1000m2. |
| 4 January 2009 | Completion of first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250kW must have occurred by this date. |
| 4 January 2011 | Completion of first inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12kW must have occurred by this date. |
