Energy Performance Certificates Commercial Property EPC Commercial Buildings Inspectors

Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates or the Commercial EPC is similar to their domestic counterparts, the energy certificate for commercial buildings will look the same and carry the same ratings as for domestic energy certificates. The DEC or Display Energy Certificate is somewhat different in appearance and the information contained therein, this must be displayed in a public place. See DEC (for public buildings only).

EPBD Surveys
The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), requires that from from April 2008 any commercial property in the UK, which is within the limits described below will require an Energy Performance Certificate upon construction, or prior to sale or lease of the property.

Cost of an EPC for Commercial Premises

Commercial EPC costs associated with the issue of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for non-dwellings or Display Energy Certificates (DEC) for public buildings are difficult to quantify due to the nature of the construction, the complexity, and size of the building which is being examined in each individual case. The EPC cost using SBEM calculations is difficult to ascertain due to the inherent properties of buildings which can vary greatly, almost certainly the EPC price for the commercial property market will be significantly higher than the domestic counterpart. Buildings which cannot be assessed using this calculation method will likely use DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model) which may incur even higher costs. SBEM calculation of energy ratings for buildings will cover approx 70% of the commercial property market. The information required to produce SBEM Calculations must be submitted by the asset owner. The associated costs of air conditioning energy assessment, if such a system is installed, must also be taken into account. Surveyors for Commecial EPC's will offer quotes, prices and costs based on the information that can be supplied by the building owner or facilities management, to reduce the costs for the EPC it is essential to provide the assessor as much information as possible, this will help you, the asset owner, obtain competitive quotes for Commercial EPC's and reduce prices. Commercial EPC quotations are largely based on how much information you can provide about the property.

Commercial EPC providers adopt similar practices for inspection of commercial property, except for new build units which are subject to SAP Energy Assessment usually based on construction floor plans and specifications for new buildings which will include the latest building regulations.

From 6 April 2008:
An EPC is required on construction for all dwellings.
EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2.

From1 July 2008
EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2.

From 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 all public buildings in excess of 1,000 m2.

By 4 January 2009 - First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date

By 4 January 2011 - First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date

A system which is 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.

These dates and details may be subject to revision at any time. These dates represent the latest (Nov 2007) schedule released by CLG. Refer to EPC Timetable.

After these deadlines any commercial property which is placed on the property market for sale or rent in England and Wales requires an energy inspection by an Energy Assessor and an Energy Performance Certificate (Commercial EPC) obtained. Existing tenancies in place before the deadline are exempt, if they subsequently come on to the market for sale or lease after this time, then an energy inspection and certificate will be required.

EPC - Energy certificates rate the energy performance of a building
DEC - Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building, and it's Operational Rating, and provide information to the public for the energy efficiency of a building. (For Public Buildings)

The legislation will affect Property owners of portfolios, and also affects landlords and property managers.

Many buildings will be affected by the introduction of Commercial Energy Certificates these include:

EPC for Retail Units
EPC for Shops
EPC for Industrial Units
EPC for Hotels
EPC for New Build & Existing commercial units - Using SBEM energy ratings.
EPC for New Build Homes & Dwellings - SAP Assessors
EPC for Rental Property & Rented Accommodation
EPC for Public Buildings & Institutions
EPC for Government Buildings

Exemptions to the requirement for a Commercial EPC, these exemptions include:

Places of Worship (e.g churches)
Temporary Buildings In Use For Less Than 2 Years (Portable Buildings and Site Buildings)
Low Energy Demand Buildings (example Farms Outbuildings and Barns)
Stand Alone Buildings Less Than 50 sq m. (Small outbuildings like Sheds or Summer Houses), In general, commercial premises are exempt that are less than 50 sq m Gross Internal Area. (GIA)

In addition Air Conditioning Systems will require inspection before January 2011. This involves an inspection prior to this date and a checklist and recommendation for improvements for existing systems to be issued.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years and must be made available to a prospective buyer or tenant before entering a contract for sale, rent, or lease, and no later than the release of marketing materials for the property, or the request for a visit to the property being marketed for sale or lease.

The survey is carried out (In England & Wales) using Simplified Building Energy Method (SBEM) which is also used for part L of the Building Regulations. A number of energy assessment procedures may be employed dependent on the type of building and its use. Such methods include SAP, SBEM procedures: Property managers refer to Business Energy Saving Measures to reduce overheads and improve your buildings energy rating.

What type of Energy Assessor do I need for my building?

Landlords, Buy-to-Let, domestic Property Rental EPC - The energy assessment of existing dwellings used as rented accommodation are subject to energy inspection & survey by Domestic Energy Assessors.

New Build EPC - This applies to New Build Homes & Dwellings, energy assessment of new build dwellings is subject to energy inspection & survey by On-Construction Energy Assessors (OCEA), otherwise known as SAP Assessors.

EPC for Existing & New Build Commercial Buildings (Non-Dwellings) up to 2,500 sq m - A Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) Level 3 qualified energy inspector is required to produce an EPC for this type of building. SBEM Energy Ratings are used in the production of the Energy Certificate.

EPC for Existing & New Build Commercial Buildings (Non-Dwellings) > 2,500 sq m - A Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) Level 4 & Level 5 qualified energy inspector is required to produce an EPC for this type of building. SBEM Energy Ratings (& DSM where applicable) are used in the production of the Energy Certificate.

Buildings for Public Use - A Non-Domestic Energy Assessor (NDEA) Level 4 & 5 qualified energy inspector is required to produce a DEC for this type of building. SBEM Energy Ratings (& DSM where applicable) are used in the production of the Energy Certificate.

Further information is available at:

Commercial & Industrial Property EPC
Display Energy Certificates For Public Buildings
SAP Assessors
SBEM Energy Assessment
Commercial Buildings Energy Ratings
Commercial Energy Assessors
Social Housing Energy Performance Certificates
Landlord EPC
Rental Property EPC

Domestic premises use (RdSAP), there is no reduced data equivalent for use on existing commercial property and thus, a full energy calculation must be carried out for each property. The method used will be determined using the new National Occupation Standards currently being set by CLG - Communities & Local Government. For SAP ratings and the role of energy assessors please refer to Energy Assessors for newly constructed dwellings

A directory of commercial energy assessors is available to locate consultants providing SAP calculations and SBEM Energy Assessment.

EPCC - Commercial EPC Energy Ratings Consultants for EPC Commercial Buildings - Consultants for SAP, SBEM & PEA Energy Assessments Commercial Energy Assessments SBEM - Consultants for Commercial Buildings, New Build EPC - Energy ratings for new homes and dwellings and Predictive Energy Assessment - PEA Energy Ratings

Find a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate provider in your local area:

Commercial Energy Assessor Directory of SAP & SBEM Consultants - Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates EPCs and providers of energy assessment will be required for all other properties in the future including energy certificates for Social Housing inspection and Rented Property sectors. A Commercial Energy Assessor Forum is available online, with discussion board with matters relating to energy certificates for commercial/industrial buildings.

Commercial Buildings EPC Energy Training - A guide for available courses and assessment centres for Energy ratings and calculations for non-residential dwellings.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate DEC Provider, SAP Ratings Assessor, or SBEM Consultants? Surveyors - Please refer to contact page and send your details to us for inclusion in the directory.