NEWS

5th Jan 2009 Under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), from 5th January 2009 all commercial property in the UK, over 50 sq metres in size has to have to have an Energy Performance Certificate (Commercial EPC) upon construction, or prior to sale or lease of the property.

The certificate will be similar to those produced for domestic dwellings and assess the energy efficiency of a building. The commercial EPC provides advice on how to make the cost effective improvements to the building to make it more energy efficient.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates will be required upon construction, sale or lease for all non-dwellings, covering everything from small retail units to offices, industrial units and large scale commercial premises such as airports and public buildings.

Public buildings also require Display Energy Certificates.

There are exemptions to the requirement for a commercial EPC however. These include:
Places of worship, temporary buildings (less than two years use), low energy demand buildings and stand alone buildings less than 50 sq. metres.

Responsibility for enforcement in newly built properties will fall to Building Control, whilst Trading Standards departments will enforce certification of existing buildings.