Commercial EPC Background

The requirement for a commercial EPC came about due to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), European legislation that affects all properties offered for sale or lease.

The first part of this legislation affected domestic property, with an energy performance certificate being required along with a homebuyers pack before the property could be offered for sale.

In 2008, the sale and letting of commercial properties was also included in the directive. This was a staged introduction, with only buildings measuring over 10,000 square metres being included from April.

From July 2008, properties over 2500 square metres were also required to have a commercial EPC and then in October, all properties measuring more than 50 square metres were included.

The actual certificate is similar to the those used for domestic white goods and buildings are rated on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least.

Following a survey of the building along with its heating, cooling and ventilation systems, the data collected on site is entered into a computer program which calculates the energy rating of the building.

Along with the rating, the system also makes recommendations for energy improvement.

Such recommendations are intended to provide ingoing tenants or new owners with an indication of where energy improvements can be made.

These may be simple recommendations or in some cases, could involve the inclusion of zero carbon technologies, something that all European governments are keen to promote.

Naturally, cost efficiency has to be taken into account and generally speaking, no recommendation should be made for any improvement that could not acheive a simple payback within a reasonable timescale.

It is not compulsory to follow any advice regarding energy improvement, though to so could result in cost savings in the medium to long term for tenants and owners alike.

Our approach is to temper the "automated" advice with our own specialist knowledge concerning buildings in general, where we can take into account how the building is used and of course, the likely cost and payback considerations.

Whilst all qualified Commercial Energy Inspectors can produce the commercial EPC, only those experienced in the construction of commercial property and business can actually make the right recommendations based on the individual client.

Our advice is free of charge and we are always happy to speak with prospective clients prior to conducting any work on their behalf.

For this reason, we invite you to call us and discuss your specific requirements so that we can address any concerns you might have.

Our office telephone number is 0121 733 8686, or you are welcome to contact Robert Street on 07967 829025 or David Carter on 07800 790427.