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Energy Performance Certificates
Published April 2008
6th April 2008 saw a new requirement for buildings introduced. Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are now required for all newly built homes and any commercial buildings built, sold or rented with a total floor area that exceeds 10,000m2.
EPCs rate the energy efficiency of a building in the same way electrical appliances are rated. The A-G rating positions the most energy efficient buildings at the top of the scale with an ‘A’ rating, while the least energy efficient are given the ‘G’ rating.
Energy efficiency is calculated by taking into account factors such as the type of construction of the building, the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting systems used and whether the building is divided into ‘zones’ with different purposes i.e. office space, factories etc.
Non-residential buildings are assessed on an index based on the CO2 emissions of the building. Rated on a scale of 0-150+ a lower number represents lower CO2 emissions and higher the energy efficiency.
