What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
These certificates are for all buildings and will be required whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.
When are assessments required?
An Energy Performance Certificate is only required when a building is constructed, sold or rented out.
On Construction
When the construction of a new building is completed, the builder or person responsible for the construction is responsible for obtaining the certificate and providing it to the owner. This is a duty under Building Regulations. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and there are changes to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ ventilation services.
On Sale
For existing buildings that are to be sold, the building's owner is responsible for ensuring a certificate is made available to all prospective purchasers at the earliest opportunity.
On Rent
When buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants.
Communities Minister Iain Wright has today (Thursday, 3 April) called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings.
Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emission - a higher percentage than road or air traffic. Mr Wright said that if government and business - landlord and tenants, employers and employees - worked together, UK could save 40 million tonnes of carbon by 2020.
The certificate is one of the measures being introduced to improve the energy efficiency of our 25 million buildings and meet our carbon emission reduction targets.
For lead times and price structures please contact STROMA directly on 0845 621 11 11. Alternatively email epcquotes@stroma.com, where we will be happy to advise a solution to meet your requirements.
Energy Performance of Buildings
New measures to improve the energy performance of our buildings
Our buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions. Communities and Local Government is introducing measures in England and Wales to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including:
introducing energy performance certificates for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement requiring public buildings to display energy certificates.
The reforms are currently being rolled out. From 1 October 2008 all properties - homes, commercial and public buildings - when bought, sold, built or rented will need an EPC. Larger public buildings will also need to display an energy certificate.
This work is part of European legislation - the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - which all member states must adopt.
Official EPBD website.
Guide to Display Energy Certificates and advisory reports for public buildings.
Department for Energy and Climate Change
On October 3rd 2008, the Government announced the formation of a new department: The Department of Energy and Climate Change. DECC will unite the majority of the Climate Change Group's responsibilities - previously part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) - with those of the Energy Group - previously housed within the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). The three principal objectives of this new department are:
- To provide sustainable and secure energy - focusing on affordability for the consumer
- To promote and monitor the transition to a low-carbon Britain
- To reach an international agreement on climate change at Copenhagen in December 2009
For further information:
Official DECC website (
www.decc.gov.uk)
Defra Website (
www.defra.gov.uk)
BERR website (
www.berr.gov.uk)
Display Energy Certificates
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building, the Operational Rating, and help the public see the energy efficiency of a building. This is based on the energy consumption of the building as recorded by gas, electricity and other meters. The DEC should be clearly displayed at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public. A DEC is always accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building.
Display Energy Certificates are only required for buildings that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons that with a total useful area greater than 1000m2. Display Energy Certificates are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for 7 years.
In the longer term, the Government has announced intention to consult on whether this requirement should be extended to include private sector buildings occupied by commercial organisations where large numbers of members of the public regularly visit the building. The requirement for Display Energy Certificates comes into effect from 1 October 2008.
For lead times and price structures please contact STROMA directly on 0845 621 11 11. Alternatively email decquotes@stroma.com, where we will be happy to advise a solution to meet your requirements.