COMMERCIAL EPC SPECIALIST

When is an EPC Required?

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) states that almost all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or offered for rent require an EPC.

An EPC is required whenever a property is marketed for sale or rent

-  The EPC is lodged on to a central national register by an accredited Assessor

-  The EPC is valid for 10 years

-  This applies to all sellers hoping to sell their property and to landlords offering a property for rent

Are any properties Exempt from needing an EPC?

There are some building types that may be exempt from requiring an EPC these include;

-  Places of worship

-  Temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years

-  Stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres

-  Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy

-  Some buildings that are due to be demolished

-  Holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy

-  Listed buildings - you should get advice from your local authority conservation officer if the work would alter the building’s character

-  Residential buildings intended to be used less than 4 months a year

How is an EPC produced?

A Commercial Energy Assessor who is a member of an approved Government Accreditation scheme. The energy assessor will visit the property to determine the energy related features. These are then entered into a computer program which has a calculation model developed by the government and is known as Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM)

SBEM is a cost-based rating system which uses pre-determined assumptions. It looks at the construction of the building itself as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting systems and how they are controlled. In other words, it provides an energy efficiency rating for the property itself rather than an occupancy rating.

When collecting the SBEM data the energy assessor will need to determine the following:

-  Property type

-  Age of property

-  Type of construction

-  Property dimensions

-  Room and water heating systems

-  Insulation levels

-  Windows and glazing types

- Types of lighting         

You can help to speed up the process and increase the accuracy level of the energy calculations by providing any of the above information that you may have in documents such as;

-  building records / log books / maintenance books etc.

- If you have any floor plans or or drawings showing the building layout this is a big help

-  Identifying any HVAC systems is very important! We need documentation with makes/model numbers of boilers/air con units/ventilation units etc.

-  You may have documents pertaining to the building construction and any insulation that may be present - Cavity walls / Metal frame construction / solid brick etc

-  Glazing is often supported by FENSA certificates

This information will be entered into the calculation software and an EPC will be produced.

Public access buildings receiving funding from the public sector, with a floor area of 250 m2 or above are likely to require a valid Display Energy Certificate (DEC)  A DEC must be accompanied by a valid Recommendation Report which contains recommendations for improved energy efficiency and energy performance of the building. 

To comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations, valid Display Energy Certificates must be displayed near the entrance, and the Recommendation Report be available to review upon request. Organisations failing to adhere face a fine of £1,500.

DECs show the energy performance of a building by using an A-G rating system and how the building is performing, compared to the previous two DECs issued. include; Schools, Historic Buildings, Museums, NHS Trusts, Universities, Emergency Services and Local Authorities.

When is an EPC Required?

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) states that almost all buildings in the UK that are constructed, sold or offered for rent require an EPC.

• An EPC is required whenever a property is marketed for sale or rent

• The EPC is lodged on to a central national register by an accredited Assessor

• The EPC is valid for 10 years

• This applies to all sellers hoping to sell their property and to landlords offering a property for rent

Are any properties Exempt from needing an EPC?

There are some building types that may be exempt from requiring an EPC these include;

• places of worship

• temporary buildings that will be used for less than 2 years

• stand-alone buildings with total useful floor space of less than 50 square metres

• industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don’t use a lot of energy

• some buildings that are due to be demolished

• holiday accommodation that’s rented out for less than 4 months a year or is let under a licence to occupy

• listed buildings - you should get advice from your local authority conservation officer if the work would alter the building’s character

• residential buildings intended to be used less than 4 months a year

How is an EPC produced?

Domestic Energy Assessor (DEA) who is a member of an approved Government Accreditation scheme. The energy assessor will visit the property to determine the energy related features. These are then entered into a computer program which has a calculation model developed by the government and is known as Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RDSAP)

RDSAP is a cost-based rating system which uses pre-determined assumptions. It does not look at the appliances, but rather the performance of the building itself in areas such as heating and lighting. In other words, it provides an energy efficiency rating for the property itself rather than an occupancy rating.

When collecting the RDSAP data the energy assessor will need to access all rooms/areas of the property to determine the following:

• Property type

• Age of property

• Type of construction

• Property dimensions

• Room and water heating systems

• Insulation levels

• Windows and glazing types

• Types of lighting         

This information will be entered into the calculation software and an EPC will be produced, lodged on the database and a copy provided to you 

What are the MEES and regulations? 

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards - Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, from the 1st April 2018, it is unlawful to let out properties which have an Energy Performance under the Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G after April 2018 

Further information for domestic & non domestic MEES guidance can be found at the official government website by clicking here;

Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards

Land Registry Lease Plans

From October 13th 2003 legislation has been in place requiring all new leases of 7 years and over and existing leases sold or assigned with 7 years left to run must be registered with Her Majesty's Land Registry ( HMLR )

HMLR compliant Lease plans must include scaled floor plan of the property and an OS site plan to show the building and surrounding buildings and area. The document is scaled at 1:100 or 1:50 and printed at either A3 or A4 pdf. Any common areas must be shown in green and the demise of the property in red. The orientation is also required I provide scaled Lease plans on A4 paper size which can be emailed directly to you for printing* or I can print and post them to any uk address required

The documents must retain their original scale to be compliant with HMLR - if you print copies yourself make sure you print to A4 only and no scaling is used. Do NOT use 'scale to fit' or 'shrink to fit' when printing. The scale bar should always measure 5cm

Floor Plans 

Floor plans show the layout of your property to help potential buyers decisions when considering your property. Floor plans available in 2D & 3D formats

I provide scaled Floor plans on A4 paper size which can be emailed directly to you for printing* or I can print and post them to any uk address required