In Canada and beyond, big brands are exhibiting their green credentials, but Non-Domestic EPC Contractors companies are pleading for a move beyond agenda-less hyperbole.

If you are looking to purchase a property, one thing you’ll come across sooner or later is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). EPCs were introduced in 2007 as part of the Home Information Packs (HIPs) for properties with four bedrooms or more. This was then extended to include smaller properties too. The ratings for non-domestic EPCs are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type. Non-domestic EPCs also include a recommendation report advising property owners or occupants on cost effective ways to improve its energy efficiency. Whilst the average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of homes in England and Wales has improved from 45, a low ‘E’ in 1996 to 61, a ‘D’ in 20149. Upgrading energy efficiency from an EPC E to an EPC D can reduce energy costs by up to £380 per year on average10. For example, the annual running cost of a C rated home is £270 lower than the average D rated home and £650 less than the average E rated home. A penalty for failing to produce a valid commercial EPC to any prospective buyer or tenant when selling or letting non-dwellings is fixed, in most cases, at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building. In addition, there is a minimum fine of £500 and a maximum penalty of £5,000. Where the above formula can’t be applied to a case, there is a default £750 fine. Landlords must have an up to date EPC when renting out a property or starting a new tenancy. EPCs run out after 10 years and must be updated. There are now minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) to take into consideration. A property you rent out cannot be below an ‘E’ rating. EPCs must be produced by an accredited assessor, but landlords are free to seek accreditation for themselves and their employees and so become competent to certify their own properties.

EPCs use standardised assumptions so as to make properties directly comparable while still reflecting the features of individual properties. The EPC costs are based on a number of assumptions: a standardised heating pattern, standard number of occupants, standard hot water usage and average weather conditions. If you actually use less hot water than the EPC assumes (for example), then your bills will be lower than the EPC estimates. Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificates and Recommendation Reports are required whenever a commercial building is sold, let or constructed. This is so building owners know how energy efficient their property currently is and the best ways that they could improve their rating. An EPC also helps prospective buyers and tenants of commercial properties to compare the energy efficiency of buildings quickly and easily. It is the action of selling, renting out or construction that triggers the requirement for an EPC. Therefore, existing occupiers and tenants will not require an EPC unless they sell, assign or sublet their interest in a building on or after the dates the regulatory requirements came into force. EPCs must be carried out by an accredited domestic energy assessor which you can source in your area at the government’s official EPC register. However, if you are using an estate agent to sell your home or letting agent to rent it, it should be part of their job to ensure there is a valid EPC on the property. Formulating opinions on matters such as non domestic epc register can be a time consuming process.

Information Gathered By The Energy Assessor

An EPC identifies ways that you can cut your carbon emissions and save money on your business energy bills. A commercial EPC details the energy efficiency of your property using an A to G scale. Properties with an ‘A’ rating are very efficient and therefore the best. For reference, the average rating to date for a commercial premises in the UK is D/E. An EPC is required by UK law every time a property is sold or rented. There are some exceptions to this with listed or condemned buildings, but even with these types of properties, most solicitors will still require the EPC paperwork. Improving your EPC Rating is likely to increase your property’s value. It also means you could reduce your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. But most importantly, you will be complying with legislation and avoiding major fines. According to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) in 2019, about 290,000 rental properties had an F or G rating that needed to be improved in line with the new regulations, before they could be put on the market for new tenancies. An EPC assessor will introduce themselves and ask any questions they need to about the home, as well as about the accessibility of the areas which they need to inspect. They will take note of various aspects of the property that will allow them to apply a rating and offer suggestions on how to improve them. These will include the size of the living space of your property, the overall constructions of your house, details of any insulation, lighting and the heating system and their controls. You may be asking yourself how does a epc commercial property fit into all of this?

As a Landlord, EPCs are an important part of your business, from 1st October 2008 EPCs ALL properties being let to new tenants will require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). From this date an EPC and the recommendation report must be made available free of charge by the Landlord to a prospective buyer or tenant every time a residential property is viewed and re-let. Energy performance certificates (or EPCs) are certificates that show how energy-efficient your property is. The document includes the estimated energy cost and a summary of your home performance-related features. As well as this, they also include valuable recommendations on measures that would make your home more efficient and estimated costs for going through with any changes. Energy efficiency within EPCs are graded between A and G – A being the highest level of efficiency and G being the lowest. In most homes, an energy performance certificate rating of D is most common. There’s no ‘pass’ and ‘fail’ system for EPCs – only the grading of your property’s energy efficiency from A-G. However, if you’re renting out your property, it must have an EPC rating of at least E to be legally let. From April 2023, new legislation will come into force where it will be an offence to let a property which does not achieve a minimum 'E' efficiency standard, we look at the possible impact for landlords in England and Wales. The Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is procured when a property is sold, let or refurbished. Unlike a domestic EPC, obtaining a commercial EPC can be a lengthy process and could take several weeks. This is because commercial properties come in a wide range of sizes and shapes and different areas (basements, loading bays attics etc). This makes it more difficult for an EPC provider to assess. The certificate will include details of: construction, insulation types, the area of glazing and how each internal space is used, together with equipment used for ventilation, heating and air conditioning. A service such as a commercial epc is an invaluable asset in the heady world of business.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate Quotes

In the UK, prospective buyers have become much more aware of issues like sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate change. Most buyers prefer to avoid buildings that are poorly designed and expensive to heat or cool. An Energy Performance Certificate is broadly similar to the certificates found on many domestic appliances. A Certificate gives the building an asset rating based on its energy efficiency, but does not take into account how the property is used by the occupiers. The Certificate will give the building an effieicency rating from A (high) to G (low). The Certificate will also show the building's environmental impact by indicating its carbon-dioxide emissions. Were you aware that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required in the event that your property is constructed, renovated, rented, or sold? This is why it is important for homeowners to obtain a professional EPC survey in order to ensure that everything is in order. Still, you might be unfamiliar with what the process actually entails. For example, what is an EPC certificate? What is involved with an inspection? What types of benefits will it provide? A commercial property team can advise and support on engaging with existing occupants of properties where works need to be done, or ensuring that existing and/or new leases include relevant EPC provisions. The energy assessor is required to visit the premises, in person, and collect a wide range of data from which the EPC Asset Rating is determined. That data is also used by the assessor to determine a range of potential improvements which the energy assessor believes could be made to the property and which if implemented could then improve the EPC Asset Rating. An understanding of the challenges met by mees regulations can enhance the value of a project.

EPCs are needed whenever a property is built or marketed for sale or rent. Not having an EPC could lead to enforcement action and the issuing of a penalty charge notice. Each EPC is valid for 10 years and can be used multiple times during that period. An EPC can only be produced by an accredited energy assessor who will visit the property to carry out an assessment. A sub-standard, F or G EPC is not necessarily cause for concern. While much has been written about EPC ratings going down when they are re-assessed due to the benchmarking in the software becoming more onerous, this presumes that the original EPC had accurate input data. If you wish to get an Commercial EPC for your property then you will need to appoint a fully qualified Non-Domestic Energy Assessor who is currently registered with the Non-Domestic EPC Register . If you have bought, sold or rented a property, it’s a legal requirement to have a valid EPC. Energy performance certificate (EPC) is a document which provides information about the energy efficiency of your property. It includes information on lighting, insulation, your heating system and more. So, whether you are renting or selling your domestic or commercial property, by carrying out an EPC and making the recommended changes you will increase its energy efficiency to a higher rank. During a commercial EPC assessment, the total heat loss is worked out for all the thermal elements of the premises and this is then combined with the efficiency of heating, lighting and air conditioning systems to work out the overall rating. Its always best to consult the experts when considering mees these days.

Actions You Can Take

For homeowners, an EPC is required at the point of advertising a property for sale. The Domestic EPC is valid for ten years and can be used for multiple transactions. There is no pass or fail and no minimum standard that must be reached to sell a domestic property. Many commercial properties with a low EPC rating will have inefficient lighting systems. Simple steps like replacing older fluorescent tubes and halogen bulbs with LEDs or more modern fluorescent lighting can produce substantial savings. As with heating, lighting controls can also dramatically reduce energy wastage in unused areas of the property. Your EPC will have two main charts with the rating bands. The bands go from A to G, with A being the best rating your home can have, and G being the worst. In the chart, you can see the current rating and potential rating, if you were to carry out the recommended home improvement. The numbers in each rating reflect the government's Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and go from 1 to 100 SAP points. You can check out further information relating to Non-Domestic EPC Contractors at this UK Government Publications entry.

Related Articles:

More Background Insight On Commercial EPC Assessors

More Findings About Commercial Energy Performance Certificate Contractors

Supplementary Information About Professionally Qualified Domestic Energy Contractors

Additional Information About Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Contractors

Extra Information With Regard To Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Assessors

More Information About Non-Domestic EPC Assessors

More Background Information With Regard To Commercial Energy Performance Assessors