Energy Performance Certificates Domestic Energy Performance Certificates All Properties require an Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC when being sold or let. An EPC gives Home Owners, Tenants and prospective buyers an assessment of a property performance rating in terms of its energy efficiency and environmental impact, to help reduce CO2 output.
Energy Performance Certificates tell you how energy efficient a home is on a scale of A-G. The most efficient homes which should have the lowest fuel bills are in band A. The Energy Performance Certificate also tells you, on a scale of A-G, about the impact the home has on the environment.
Better-rated homes should have less impact through carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The average property in the UK is in bands D-E for both ratings. The Certificate includes recommendations on ways to improve the home's energy efficiency to save you money and help the environment.
Commercial Energy Performance Certificates All commercial premises require an Energy Performance Certificate or commercial properties when being that are being sold or let. A Commercial EPC comes with a separate recommendations report with advice on how to improve a building's rating.
The now industry standardised A & G energy rating given on the certificate will reflect the intrinsic energy performance standard of the building relative to a benchmark. This rating could then be used by potential buyers or tenants to make comparisons between properties.
Display Energy Certificates Display Energy Certificates (DECs) indicate the real energy usage of a building and its operational rating, informing the public of the buildings efficiency. This is calculated by examining and recording the energy consumption of the property as from the gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC must be displayed at all times in a prominent place within the building and be clearly visible to the public.
A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building. Currently Display Energy Certificates are only required for buildings that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons with a total useable area greater than 1000m2. Display Energy Certificates are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for 7 years. In the future, the government has announced its intention to consult on whether this requirement should include private sector organisations where large numbers of the public regularly visit the building and a reduction in the minimum size of property.
Part L Compliance Calculations for New Build/Extended Commercial Properties At the design stage of a new construction a Part L Compliance Certificate needs to be completed and submitted to Building Control or Approved Inspector at the same time as your Building Control Application.
Upon completion of the construction it is the responsibility of the person carrying out the construction to provide Building Control and the owner of the building with a "pass" certificate.
If a building is being modified or extended and includes the provision or extension of fixed services such as heating, air con or ventilation then an EPC is required for Building Control and the owner of the building.
Please contact us if you require more information.