Vibrant Energy News

Government extends EPC deadline

30/10/2008 10:34:52

The Government has brought in transitional arrangements, which mean commercial properties will have until January 2009 to get their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

At present, all commercial buildings sold or rented after October 1st 2008 must have an EPC. The new measures mean that commercial properties now have until 4 January to obtain an EPC, unless the building is sold or rented before hand.

Independent environmental consultancy Envos has criticised the decision, saying that it is tantamount to an admission that there aren’t enough qualified assessors to undertake the surveys and that more time was required to educate building owners about their responsibilities.

Envos Managing Director, Wade Barker, said: “This decision is not unexpected given the small number of assessors that are currently fully trained. Equally there are still far too many commercial property owners who are unaware of what an EPC is and how they get one, and while there are a few providers like ourselves who have fully trained assessors over the country as a whole there certainly aren’t enough to assess every building before it is marketed and sold by 1 October.”

Europe "lagging behind" in energy efficiency as EPCs come into force in UK

02/11/2008 10:36:08

As EPCs come into effect in the UK, a poll by legal firm LG suggests that European countries are not taking energy efficiency seriously.

The poll, which gathered responses from law firms across 18 European countries, suggested that improving energy efficiency remains a low priority for most European businesses.

According to LG, only respondents in the UK and Switzerland noted a relatively high level of interest in or awareness of the energy efficiency of buildings.

Partner at LG, Catherine Diggle, said: “Many countries are still lagging behind with their implementation of it, and there have been more than 20 infringement cases.

“Our findings suggest a strong need for all governments to adopt a more incentive-driven approach to promoting energy efficiency in the commercial sector…Energy Performance Certificates amount to little more than the label on the tin - they don't in themselves reduce the carbon footprint of European businesses. Unless firms feel this in the pocket it seems unlikely that further regulation will bring about a significant change, particularly in a worsening economic climate when green issues are falling down the list of priorities for many businesses”

EPCs – The Basics

05/11/2008 10:38:05

A run through of key information around the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates this year, from definitions to timings, type of buildings and the process

Definition
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building. An EPC will provide an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance potential of the building itself (the fabric) and its services (such as heating, ventilation and lighting). The certificate will provide an energy rating of the building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is the least efficient. The better the rating, the more energy-efficient the building is, and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be. The energy performance of the building is shown as a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) based index. EPC is accompanied by a recommendation report, which provides recommendations on using the building more effectively, cost effective improvements to the building and other more expensive improvements which could enhance the building’s energy performance. An EPC may be valid for up to 10 years.

What buildings require EPC and When?
The original phasing of the measures for England and Wales is provided in the table below:

*The Government has extended the deadline to 1 October for any building which is on the market before April and remains on the market afterwards. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as reasonably practicable. This is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords of large buildings to comply with the legislation. Similar provisions will apply for the introduction of EPCs on buildings over 2500m2 in July, expiring also on 1 October 2008. In Scotland, EPC will come into force on 4th January 2009 for commercial buildings sold or rented.

Who should get an EPC?
When a building is being constructed or modified, it is the responsibility of the person carrying out the construction to give an EPC and recommendations report to the owner of the building. As soon as a building is in the process of being offered for sale, it is the responsibility of the seller to make available an EPC to prospective buyers. As soon as a building is in the process of being offered to let, it is the responsibility of the prospective landlord to make available an EPC to prospective tenants.