The UK is firmly in the grip of one of the coldest winters on record and many households are seeing their fuel bills soar. Although the government has dismissed fears over dwindling gas supplies during the big freeze, the weather highlights the desirability of finding more "green" fuel. One water firm thinks it may have the answer - and it is not wind or hydro power. Thames Water has successfully been using human toilet waste to make electricity for the past decade...read more.
Q. When do I need an EPC?
A. An EPC is required on the construction, modification, sale or lease of a commercial property that is greater than 50m². There are some specific exceptions that are detailed in our other FAQs.
Q. Who is responsible for providing EPCs?
A. It is the responsibility of the seller to provide the EPC for a building that is to be sold, the landlord for a building that is to be let, or the developer if the building is new or being modified.
Q. What are the penalties for not having an EPC?
A. Fines for the failure to produce an EPC can be anything from £500 to £5,000 depending on property rateable value and an EPC will still be required.
Q. Where do I get an EPC?
A. An EPC must be produced and signed off by an Energy Assessor who is a member of a Government approved accreditation scheme. L’atelier’s Energy Assessors achieved their accreditation with Stroma.
Q. How long is an EPC valid for?
A. An EPC is valid for up to 10 years– unless a refurbishment of the building fabric or services has been undertaken, in which case a new EPC can be commissioned to provide a more up to date rating of the building.
Q. How much does an EPC cost?
A. The cost of an EPC depends on the size of the building, the type of building it is (office, warehouse etc) and whether any floor plans are available to the assessors. Call our offices today for a quote or complete the online enquiry form and we will generate a quote based on the information given.
Q. What is the legislation behind EPCs?
A. Energy Performance Certificates for commercial buildings became mandatory within the UK through Statutory Instrument SI 2007 No. 991. This implements the requirements of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Article 7.
Q. What is the point of an EPC?
A. A Commercial EPC is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy a building. Potential buyers or tenants will be able to get an impartial report of the energy use and the likely costs of the existing building. This makes it easier to compare the likely energy costs of occupying seemingly similar buildings. A commercial EPC will also allow sellers and landlords to gain an insight into the areas where energy performance and efficiency could be improved within their property.
Q. Are there any buildings that don’t require EPCs?
A. Energy Performance Certificates are not required on some types of building, such as places of worship, those with low energy demand and those scheduled for demolition. See our other FAQs for more details or give us a call if you require any advice.
Q. Where can I obtain an authoritative guide to EPCs so that I can brief my clients and tenants?
A. Go to www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/pdf/guidanceondwellings.pdf to download a comprehensive guide to EPCs
Q. I am selling a small lock-up shop which is part of a terrace of four. Individually they are only 42m² each so do I still need an EPC?
A. Yes- the lock-up unit itself is not stand-alone and therefore requires an EPC because the entire terrace is regarded as the “building” for the purposes of the legislation. The 50m² rule applies to the whole terrace.
Q. What does a DEC show?
A. A DEC (Display Energy Certificate) provides a visual energy performance rating based on the actual energy usage of the building recorded annually. A DEC shows the buildings Operational Rating and should be displayed in a prominent position in the building.
Q. What is an Operational Rating?
A. The Operational Rating is a numerical indicator of the actual annual carbon dioxide emissions from the building. Various benchmarks are employed to ensure that the energy performance of one building can be compared with that of another. The building is given a rating on a scale from A to G with A being the lowest CO2 emissions and G being the highest. Operational Ratings from previous years are also displayed on the Certificate to show any improvements or deteriorations in the building’s energy performance. An OR of 100 is the Government benchmark, which is deemed typical of these kinds of buildings.
Q. Which buildings require a DEC?
A. Only public authorities or public institutions (those providing services traditionally associated with local or national government) occupying a building must display a DEC. Other private occupants of the same building are not required to display a DEC. L’atelier can provide you with a DEC as well as an EPC.