What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a rating system that measures the energy efficiency of domestic and commercial properties. The rating goes from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The certificates contain information about energy consumption and costs along with recommendations about how to reduce them.
Government guidelines state that EPCs for newly constructed buildings can only be completed by accredited energy assessors. Energy assessors will need to be qualified for the specific type of building being assessed. This means that an energy assessor who is certified to carry out SAP calculations can only produce EPCs for domestic dwellings. Equally, an energy assessor will need to be accredited to carry out SBEM calculations to produce EPCs for non-domestic buildings.
Do I need an EPC?
An EPC is legally required when a building is constructed, sold or rented out. Developers must work with energy assessors to procure EPCs for newly constructed buildings.
As a developer, it is your responsibility to ensure each property within your scheme has an EPC. Building Control will only issue a certificate of completion when they are happy that the correct EPC has been produced.
The same EPC requirements govern commercial properties as residential properties. There are some exceptions. The following properties do not require an EPC:
- Places of worship
- Stand-alone non-dwellings of less than 50m2
- Industrial sites, workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings with low energy demand
- Temporary buildings with a planned usage time of 2 years or less
- Non-residential agricultural buildings which are used by a sector covered by a national sectoral agreement on energy performance certification
How do I procure an EPC?
Abbey Consultants is one of the UK’s leading energy assessors. Our highly skilled team is accredited by Stroma (a market leading certification body) to carry out both SAP and SBEM calculations.
This means that if you are a residential and/or non-domestic property developer, we are here to ensure that your building complies with Part L of The Building Regulations.
Our team of assessors perform the necessary SAP/SBEM calculations by using the architect’s plans and drawings, together with detailed information around construction, heating and ventilation to produce a highly accurate EPCs.
For a quote or more information about how we can help you, call us on 10923 274 427 or email us at info@abbey-consultants.co.uk
