What is an Energy Performance Certificate

When is an Energy Performance Certificate required, well an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC Certificate) sets out the energy efficiency grade of a commercial building.  Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are required when a commercial building over 50m2 is built, sold or rented.  There are two grades of buildings under the EPC requirements which relate to the complexity of the building being assessed and will affect the type of EPC assessor you will need.

Energy Performance Certificate – Simple Building

Is one having “frequently occurring characteristics” such as simple heating systems, simple natural ventilation and small comfort cooling systems”, those which are very similar to domestic premises in the fabric and services present, such as a block of shops with flats above them.  These buildings are commonly going to be assessed by  Level 3 EPC assessors.

Energy Performance Certificate – Complex Building

Complex Building: Is one having advanced features which can be calculated using SBEM or DSM by a Level 4 or 5 EPC assessor respectively. A Level 4 EPC assessor using SBEM is expected to have experience of buildings in the commercial sector, which may have both fabric and services installations that are not found in domestic buildings, ie. any HVAC systems.  A Level 5 EPC assessor using DSM is expected to have experience of buildings in the commercial sector, which may have both fabric and services installations that are uncommon for which the asset rating is best measured using dynamic simulation.

You can easily combine your current requirments with our additional energy management solutions such as an on site energy audit.  All of these solutions are designed to help you better understand your energy usuage and control your requirments.  Only by fully understand and measuring your energy usuage can you start to take steps to reduce your consumption and improve your overall carbon footprint.  Please contact us to discuss your business energy performance certificate requirements.