Energy Performance Certificates - Are You Ready?

Commercial buildings to be built, sold or let will in future require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The requirement is being phased in,  having commenced on 6 April 2008, when EPCs were required for commercial buildings over 10,000 square metres. On 1 July 2008, EPCs will be required for commercial buildings over 2,500 square metres and all other commercial buildings will require an EPC from 1 October 2008.

 

From 6 April 2008, all public buildings over 1,000 square metres have been required to display an EPC.

 

A builder or landlord is required to provide not only the EPC, which shows the energy efficiency of the building, but also a recommendation report issued by an energy assessor. This will show recommended actions necessary to improve the energy efficiency of the building. A new building will not be able to be issued with a certificate of completion by the building inspector unless the EPC and report are available.