Services: Energy Performance Certificates

What is an Energy Performance Certificate?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provides a rating for the energy performance of a building. The ratings are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type.

EPCs are similar to the certificates now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines. They give building owners, occupiers and purchasers information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of their building. The EPC rates the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a property on a scale of A to G, where A is the best.

A recommendation report is attached to the certificate, providing information about ways to improve the energy efficiency of the property. The certificate also shows the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.

It is the responsibility of the person selling or renting a building to have a valid EPC to show to prospective buyers and tenants. The EPC must be given to the eventual buyer or tenant. There is no requirement to get an EPC for buildings that are just being occupied normally other than when they are being sold or let.

Failure to provide an EPC may result in a heavy fine being imposed.

Does my building need an EPC?

If you are intending to sell or let a commercial building or a part of a commercial building then it will almost definitely require an epc when it is offered for sale or let. Even if it currently does not have any form of heating, cooling or ventilation, then it may still require an EPC. For advice, please contact us for confirmation.

Overview of the survey

The factors affecting the energy performance of a building are complex and numerous. Wall construction, insulation, windows, doors, structural materials, floors, ceilings and roof construction all contribute to the building’s overall thermal performance and dictate how that building retains or loses heat.

The services within the structure such as heating, ventilation, extraction, air conditioning, lighting and energy sources are all considered when undertaking an energy assessment. Even the compass orientation of the building has an impact on the amount of energy it uses in heating, cooling, ventilating and lighting the internal environment.

The use of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, heat pumps, solar panels and even photovoltaic cells all contribute to the building’s energy efficiency and hence it’s carbon emissions.

The process of an Energy Assessment involves a comprehensive survey of the whole building initially to produce a floor plan and a detailed record of the “envelopes” and zones within the structure. Details of all the mechanical and electrical services are collated during the survey and energy efficiency rates are calculated.

The provision of accurate scale plans, Mechanical and Electrical specifications, HVAC specifications and Building Log-Books all reduce the amount of time taken to complete the physical survey and the desk research required to gather the information required.

Cost

Our fees are normally quoted on a fixed fee basis expressed as a lump sum. Where work cannot be precisely defined, fees are calculated on a time charge basis.

Fees for work undertaken on a time charge basis are calculated on all time spent on a project namely inspections, traveling time and office time.

Unless stated otherwise our quoted fees normally include everyday disbursements incurred in discharging the instruction such as travel, subsistence, photography, printing, copying, binding and postage. There is a charge levied by the Accreditation Bodies for lodging an epc on the central register. This is charged at the rate in force (currently £35.36 +VAT).

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