HomeNews Property news: Energy Performance Certificates (June 2008)
Property news: Energy Performance Certificates (June 2008)
Friday, 13th June 2008
In a previous article we highlighted the growing requirements being put upon commercial buildings to demonstrate their 'green credentials'. Performance is currently measured in terms of energy efficiency, but water use and waste minimisation are also appearing on the radar for the future. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are one method by which the government is attempting to highlight sustainability issues within buildings and use market forces to drive improvement, particularly in carbon footprints.
The EPC process will be used to assess the energy efficiency of all commercial buildings (including domestic rentals) sold, leased, rented or constructed beyond October 2008. Commercial buildings above 10,000m2 already require an EPC and lesser thresholds are to be enforced progressively as per the table below. Air conditioning systems are also underscrutiny.
The dates by which EPCs and airconditioning system inspections will be required:
6 April 2008
EPCs required on construction for all dwellings. EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 10,000 m2.
1 July 2008
EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings, other than dwellings, with a floor area over 2,500m2.
1 October 2008
EPCs required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings.
EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings, other than dwellings.
Display certificates required for all public buildings >1,000 m2
4 January 2009
First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date.
4 January 2011
First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date.
For further advice on EPC and what it means for your buildings contact
at the Olive Consultancy.
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Part of the CarbonOmics Partnership www.carbonomics.co.uk