Thursday, 18 September 2008From 1st October 2008 all buildings whenever sold, built or rented will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated and ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contributes to its energy consumption and carbon emissions.
The Energy Performance Certificate is one measure being introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of our buildings. It is part of a programme of work being rolled out across Europe to reflect legislation. Other changes require larger public buildings to display certificates showing the energy efficiency of the building and requiring inspections for air conditioning systems.
Below is a summary of what is happening and when in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland are both introducing their own regulations.
Energy Performance Certificates
From October 2008 all buildings whenever sold, built or rented will need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
The certificate provides energy efficiency A-G ratings and recommendations for improvement. The ratings - similar to those found on products such as fridges - are standard so the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of a similar type.
Acting on an EPC is important to cut energy consumption, save money on bills and help to safeguard the environment.
EPCs were first introduced for the marketed sale of domestic homes, as part of the Home Information Pack. If you are buying or selling a home it is now law to have a certificate. From April this was extended to newly built homes and large commercial properties. By October 2008 all buildings whenever built, sold or rented will require one, including those on the market before the phased introduction of EPCs for domestic properties in 2007.
EPCS are produced by accredited energy assessors.
On Tuesday, 9 September 2008 regulations on EPCs were updated to respond to consumer and industry needs. These will come into force for October 2008 and include:
extending the validity period of the EPC for homes when marketed for sale - currently one year - to three years (this has been the result of extensive consultation)
clarifying arrangements for the October roll-out for commercial buildings already on the market which will be similar to those put in place in April and July. This means that any non-domestic building on the market before 1st October and remaining on the market will need an EPC by 4th January at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as is practicable. This measure is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords to comply with the legislation, avoid market fluctuations and is in response to expectations from the industry
A copy of the Energy Performance of Buildings regulations will be available on the Office of Public Sector Information website.
Display Energy Certificates for public buildings
By October 2008 Display Energy Certificates (DECs) will be required for larger public buildings enabling everyone to see how energy efficient our public buildings are.
The DEC should be displayed at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public - and they are accompanied by an Advisory Report that lists cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of a building.
We will also be consulting on whether to extend this to private sector buildings.
A DEC is valid for one year and the Advisory Report is valid for seven years.
Inspections for air conditioning systems
An increasing number of buildings have air conditioning systems.
We are requiring mandatory inspections to ensure air conditioning systems are carefully managed and maintained in order that they do not consume too much energy.
The first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by 4 January 2009. The first inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by 4 January 2011.
The inspection will include an assessment of the efficiency of the system with advice on improvements or replacements, as well as alternative solutions.
Advice and guidance for boiler users
More than 50 per cent of the total energy consumption and CO2 emissions for buildings come from heating and hot water use.
To help us reduce this we launched a new energy advice programme for heating and hot water systems in partnership with the heating and hot water industry. This programme encourages heating and boiler installers to provide basic energy advice to users about the energy efficiency of their heating and hot water systems. This advice is given in the form of a checklist and also includes recommendations.
The full timetable is provided below:
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 2,500 m2
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 public buildings >1,000 m2
4 January 2009
First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date1
4 January 2011
First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date1
1 Note: a system first put into service on or after 1 January 2008 must have a first inspection within 5 years of it first being put into service.http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/theenvironment/energyperformance/overview/ |