An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is intended to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building.

An EPC will provide an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance potential of the building itself (the fabric) and its services (such as heating, ventilation and lighting). The energy rating given on the certificate reflects the intrinsic energy performance standard of the building relative to a benchmark which can then be used to make comparisons with comparable properties. It is accompanied by a recommendation report, which provides recommendations on how the energy performance of the
building could be enhanced, together with an indication of the payback period.

Buildings requiring an energy performance certificate

An EPC is only required for a building when constructed, sold or let.

For the purposes of the regulations, a building is defined as: “a roofed construction having walls, for which energy is used to condition the indoor climate, and a reference to a building includes a reference to a part of a building which has been designed or altered to be used separately”.

For a building to fall within the requirement for an EPC it must:
• have a roof and walls
• use energy to condition the indoor climate

Services that are considered to condition the indoor climate are the following fixed services: heating, mechanical ventilation or air-conditioning. Although the provision of hot water is a fixed building service, it does not “condition the indoor environment” and would not therefore be a trigger for an EPC. The same argument applies to electric lighting.

The cost of a commercial EPC will be determined on the following criteria:

• Address and postcode of the premises
• Building type and usage
• The year of construction
• The age on any additions
• An estimated gross internal floor area*
• Details of heating, ventilation and air conditioning system present and date of installation.

*Quotes are based on the size of the premises, a 10% margin is allowed for miscalculation, if after measuring, the area is more than 10% a charge will be made accordingly.

You can order your Commercial EPC online here