Commercial EPC

From 1 October 2008 sellers and landlords will be required by law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all buildings or parts of buildings when they are sold or rented.Those carrying out the construction of a building will be required to provide an EPC to the owner.

An Energy Performance Certificate gives prospective buyers or tenants information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building.

The certificate will be phased in from April 6 2008 when buildings sold, rented or built with a total floor area of more than 10,000sq m will require one.

From 1 July 2008, this extends to buildings with a total floor area greater than 2,500 sq m. From 1 October 2008 all remaining commercial buildings will require an EPC on sale or rental or upon construction.

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Display Energy Certificates (DEC)

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 and 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 with a total useful floor area over 1,000m² that are occupied by a public authority and institution providing a public service to a large number of persons and therefore visited by those persons. They are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for seven years.

The requirement for Display Energy Certificates came into effect on 1 October 2008.

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