Relevant Legislation | Commercial EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates)
Since Oct 1st 2008 all commercial properties over 50 sq metres (with a few minor exceptions) have required an EPC when sold or leased. These certificates last for 10 years.
As of the 1st January 2009 a Commercial EPC will be 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. There are a few exceptions, the details of which are described in this Downloadable Leaflet produced by the government to fully explain Commercial EPCs.
This includes properties which are a mixture of residential and commercial where there is no separate access to the residential part, and properties in multiple occupations being sold as a whole.
EPCs for commercial properties can only be prepared by Non Domestic Energy Assessors who will be accredited to assess buildings at level 3 (simple buildings) or level 4 (more complex buildings)
Domestic energy assessors cannot assess commercial properties unless they have dual qualifications.
Commercial energy assessments are carried out using a more sophisticated method than that used for domestic properties and can take into account the wide variety of construction materials and heating and ventilation systems used in the commercial sector.
Level 3 and level 4 buildings:
There is no precise definition for level 3 and level 4 buildings however the guidelines are:
Level 3: Existing buildings with simple heating systems, simple natural ventilation and small comfort cooling systems.
Level 4: New buildings and existing buildings with any of the following:
- Centralised heating systems greater than 100KW
- Substantially air conditioned
- Building management systems
- Mixed mode systems
- Low or zero carbon technology
What is contained in a Commercial EPC?
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.
The rating is based on the characteristics of the building itself and its services such as heating and lighting hence this type of rating is known as an asset rating.
The asset ratings will reflect such things as the age and condition of the building, the heating and ventilation services, the degree of insulation, the glazing and lighting systems and the means by which all these are controlled.
The certificate is accompanied by a report which includes cost effective recommendations to improve the energy rating together with indicative paybacks.
Click to see a sample EPC report and recommendations.
Government Advice:
There are several government publications which explain the legislation in greater detail. The can be accessed from the Dept. for CLG web site at www.communities.gov.uk/epbd
- Energy Certificates and Air Conditioning inspections for buildings
- Energy Performance Certificates and Non-Dwellings: A guide for building owners, landlords and tenants
- A Guide to Energy Performance Certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings.
- Local Weights and Measures Guidance for Energy Certificates and air conditioning inspections of buildings
This is information is gleaned from the Department for CLG publications and their advice. It is not legally binding and is the Dept. For CLG interpretation of the legislation.
How much will an EPC cost?
Please click here for details of the cost of a Commercial EPC.
