EPC FAQs | Questions about Energy Performance Certificates

This page contains a selection of the questions we are most often asked about EPCs and EN-RG Assessors Ltd.

We're here to help, so if you have a question which is not answered here please contact us using our Contact page, or simply phone Mike on 07967 887458.

Q. What exactly is an EPC?

A. Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are being introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. The Energy Performance Certificate provides 'A' to 'G' ratings for a building, with an 'A' rating being the most energy efficient and a 'G' rating being the least energy efficient, with the average up to now being 'D'.

Accredited energy assessors such as EN-RG Assessors Ltd produce EPCs together with an associated report which suggests improvements to help make a building more energy efficient.

Q. Do I need an EPC?

A. If you are buying or selling a home you now need an Energy Performance Certificate by law. From October 2008 EPCs will be required whenever a building is built, sold or rented out.

As of the 1st January 2009 a Commercial EPC is required for any non domestic buildings being offered for sale or rent. This Commercial EPC must be made available to potential buyers or tenants. Failure to comply with this regulation can lead to maximum fine of £5000.

Click to read more about the relevant legislation relating to EPCs.

Q. What is the difference between Commercial and Domestic EPC's?

A. The difference between the two is the level of detail required - a Commercial EPC is more akin to a Commercial Survey and requires the assessor to be more technically qualified and to be able to analyse equipment ratings from site. This qusetion is answered in more detail in our Introduction to Energy Performance Certificates.

Q. How long will an EPC take?

A. In a Domestic EPC on a standard two storey, three bedroom semi detached house, the assessor would likely be on site for approximately one hour. Offsite the EPC will take approximately an hour to process. Taking the same building and inspecting as a Commercial EPC is a similar process but far more intensive, lasting potentially over two hours on site. If a Commercial EPC on this example building might take two or more hours on site, off site it could take a day or more to interpret all the data collected and to input it into the relevant software to model the building, as well as conducting the research that is needed.

Q. How is the Commercial EPC produced?

A. An energy assessor will make a detailed inspection of your building collecting information including dimensions, notes on the construction and fabric of the building and any mechanical and electrical services operating within it. This collected data is then documented and prepared for input to SBEM software, which calculates the building's overall energy efficiency rating and generates a Commercial EPC along with an advisory report recommending ways on improving the rating obtained.

For more information see the Commercial Energy Performance Certificates section of the website.

Q. What is contained in a Commercial EPC?

A. A Commercial EPC looks very similar to the energy labels we are all familiar with on many household appliances. It shows in graphical form how energy efficient a building is by rating it from A – G where A is the most efficient and G the least efficient. It also gives a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) based index.

Click to see a sample Commercial EPC report and recommendations.

Q. How much will an EPC cost?

A. Prices for commercial properties vary considerably according to size and complexity. We will give you a firm price at the time of order but for some guidance please see the price guidelines section of the website.

For a firm quotation please contact us direct by phoning Mike on 07967 887458, e-mail or filling in the information form on this website.