Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Since 1st October 2008 it has been a legislative requirement in England and Wales that an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required when a commercial or residential building is constructed, rented or sold. A building will need an EPC if it has a roof and walls, and if it uses energy to ‘condition an indoor climate’. This means it has, or is intended to have, heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation.The building can either be a whole building or part of a building that has been designed or altered to be used separately. If a building is made up of separate units, each with its own heating system, each unit will need an EPC.

The EPC is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, and remains valid for 10 years or until a newer EPC is commissioned. If a potential buyer or tenant is not provided with an EPC then Trading Standards have the power to issue fixed penalty notices. In the case of a new building where an EPC has not been provided, then the Local Authority Building Control Department should be informed.

The EPC needs to be commissioned before marketing commences, and the duty to provide an EPC falls on either the seller, in the case of a building being sold, or the landlord, in the case of a building being rented, or on the builder, in the case of a new building. If a proposed new building is to be marketed from plan, then a Predictive Energy Assessment (PEA) needs to be provided to potential buyers. The PEA must then be replaced by an EPC on completion of the build.

Exemptions

EPC’s are not required on construction, sale or rent for the following buildings:

· places of worship
· temporary buildings that will be used for less than two years
· standalone buildings with total useful floor area of less than 50 square metres that aren’t used to provide living accommodation for a single household
· industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings that don't use a lot of energy

Energy Assessor Accreditation

To work as an energy assessor it is a legilslative requirement to belong to an Accreditation Scheme. Accreditation Schemes ensure that energy assessors have the necessary qualificaitonsand skills and are able to carry out the survey to the required standards. These Schemes ensure that energy assessors:

· adhere to standards, codes of conduct and procedures
· are qualified to conduct an energy assessment, produce the certificate and give advice
· have the correct insurance
· are part of a national register
· have had a criminal records check
· have a complaints procedure in place

Building & Property Surveys Ltd. are fully accredited Energy Assessors and are able to offer EPC’s for both new and existing residential and commercial buildings.

Please contact us for further information and for prices.