What is an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?
These certificates are for all buildings and will be required whenever a building is constructed, rented or sold.
The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines.
Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
EPCs are produced using standard methods with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.
An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.
When are assessments required?
An Energy Performance Certificate is only required when a building is constructed, sold or rented out.
On Construction
When the construction of a new building is completed, the builder or person responsible for the construction is responsible for obtaining the certificate and providing it to the owner. This is a duty under Building Regulations. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and there are changes to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ ventilation services.
On Sale
For existing buildings that are to be sold, the building's owner is responsible for ensuring a certificate is made available to all prospective purchasers at the earliest opportunity.
On Rent
When buildings are to be rented out, the landlord is responsible for ensuring a valid certificate is made available to all prospective tenants.
Communities Minister Iain Wright has today (Thursday, 3 April) called on the business community to work together to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings.
Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emission - a higher percentage than road or air traffic. Mr Wright said that if government and business - landlord and tenants, employers and employees - worked together, UK could save 40 million tonnes of carbon by 2020
The certificate is one of the measures being introduced to improve the energy efficiency of our 25 million buildings and meet our carbon emission reduction targets.
Energy Performance Certificates for the construction of a Domestic Property
From 6 April 2008, all homes built and physically complete on or after this date, will need to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) provided on construction.
It is the responsibility of the builder to provide an EPC when a home is constructed and physically completed from 6 April 2008. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and changes are made to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ventilation services.
When the home is physically complete, the builder must obtain an EPC for the home, provide the EPC to the new owner of the home and notify the local authority building control officers or approved inspectors that this has been done. This must be done no later than the time specified by the building regulations. Building regulations include standards for the energy performance of new homes which builders must adhere to in order to comply with building regulations.
Once building control are satisfied the EPC has been properly produced and provided to the relevant party, they are able to issue a final completion certificate. From 6 April 2008, a final completion certificate for a home cannot be issued by building control unless they are satisfied an EPC has been provided.
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Energy Performance Certificates for the construction of a Commercial Building
| 6 April 2008 |
EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2.
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| 1 July 2008 |
EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2. |
| 1 October 2008 |
EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings.
Display certificates required for all public buildings >1,000 m2. |
It is estimated that EPCs will be required for approximately 220,000 buildings (Non-dwellings) per annum, which includes approximately 15,000 newly constructed buildings. These buildings will require energy assessors to be trained to understand the onsite requirements as well as the design based assessment techniques.
Display Energy Certificates
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 in a prominent place 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 that are occupied by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons that with a total useful area greater than 1000m2. Display Energy Certificates are valid for one year. The accompanying Advisory Report is valid for 7 years.
In the longer term, the Government has announced intention to consult on whether this requirement should be extended to include private sector buildings occupied by commercial organisations where large numbers of members of the public regularly visit the building. The requirement for Display Energy Certificates comes into effect from 1 October 2008.
Northen Ireland - Implementation of EPBD
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Commencement Date
Northen Ireland
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Dwellings
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Sale |
30 June 2008
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| New Builds |
30 September 2008
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| Rental |
30 December 2008
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Buildings other than Dwellings
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Sales |
30 December 2008
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| New Builds |
30 September 2008
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| Rental |
30 December 2008
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