Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)

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Energy Assessment Compliance

Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s)

Since October 2008, all non-dwellings greater than 50m2 (538 sq.ft.) that are

being sold let or built require an Energy Performance Certificate. There are

exemptions to this, such as:

• places of worship

• temporary buildings with a planned time of use of less than two years

• stand-alone buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m2 that
are not dwellings

• industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings with
low energy demand

It is the responsibility of the seller or landlord to make an EPC available, free of

charge for their building, as soon as a building is in the process of being offered

for sale or let

Therefore an EPC needs to be made available when 1) Any written information

about the building is provided in response to a request for information received

from the prospective buyer or tenant 2) When a viewing is conducted.

The survey produces an EPC that contains an Asset Rating, based on the

equipment installed and its use, as well as a Recommendations Report that

gives advice on measures that can reduce the buildings energy use and achieve

potentially significant cost savings to our client

How much do EPC's cost?

This will vary dependant upon the property. To discuss your requirements

or to obtain a costing for your property please contact us.

What happens if I do not have an EPC?

The penalty for failing to make an EPC available to any prospective buyer or

tenant when selling or letting non-dwellings is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5%

of the rateable value of the building, subject to a minimum penalty of £500

and a maximum of £5,000. There is a default penalty of £750 where the formula

cannot be applied. A formula is used as the costs of producing an EPC for non

domestic dwellings are expected to vary according to the size, complexity and

use of the building. The EPC will still be required.

Air Conditioning Energy Assessments

Systems with an output greater than 250kW should have had an assessment

carried out by 4th January 2009.

Air Conditioning systems in buildings that provide comfort cooling, with an

effective output between 12-250kW are required to have an Energy

Assessment produced by the 4th January 2011.

A 12kW system will typically condition 120m2 (1,291sq.ft.) of office space and a

250kW system will condition around 2000m2 (21,520sq.ft.) of office space.

The inspection produces an EPC that contains an Asset Rating, based on the

equipment installed and its use, as well as a Recommendations Report that

gives advice on measures that can reduce the buildings energy use.

Part L Calculations

Part L Calculations are required by Local Planning Departments when submitting a

planning application for a building. Domestic properties (new build) require a SAP

(Standard Assessment Procedure) assessment. Non-Domestic properties require an

SBEM (Simplified Building Energy Model) assessment.

Kyoto Protocol and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

It is estimated that the UK is responsible for 2% of Global CO2 emissions. The UK

has a legal obligation, under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce its CO2 emissions by

20% of 1990 levels.

The instruments for ensuring that this takes place are Part L Building Regulations

and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). Part L ensures that

any new construction is as energy efficient as possible, while the EPBD is

currently being used to assess existing building stock, in order to inform

buyers/tenants of the buildings energy use, so that they can make informed

decisions on the purchase/lease of a property, and also to implement upgrades

to the building to reduce energy consumption and hence costs.

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