Domestic
Commercial
When selling or renting out a property you need and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for this instead of SAP we use Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure (RdSAP) which is a non invasive form of assessing a dwelling. We use the assumptions of building regulations of the time the property was built unless there is visual evidence or certificates. This requires a site visit and access to all the rooms in the property, the assessor will be looking at the boiler, roof insulation, walls, glazing, lighting and water heating systems.
When selling or renting a commercial property you need an EPC. Unlike domestic properties the process for aquiring a report for a commercial property is more in depth using different methodology and software. The assessment focuses more on the zones of the building and understanding the energy demands in each zone, this way we can assess much more complex buildings like supermarkets, shopping centres, office blocks and more that use more sophistacted systems of lighting, heating and ventilation.
Why Do we Need EPC's
Since January 2008 all dwellings that are marketed for sale or to rent require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
EPC’s have been introduced to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Buildings produce nearly half of the UK’s carbon emissions. That’s almost twice that of cars and planes. The way a building is constructed, insulated, heated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. The EPC provides ‘A’ to ‘G’ ratings for the building, with ‘A’ being the most energy efficient and ‘G’ being the least, with the average to date being ‘D’.
Accredited energy assessors produce EPCs alongside an associated report which suggests improvements to make a building more energy efficient.
Despite what you may have read or heard in the media it is not compulsory to carry out any improvements as a result of the EPC. They merely provide recommendations. However, as energy prices have doubled in the last five years these recommendations are becoming more and more pertinent.
Let us give you two examples of recently produced EPC’s
A brand new four bedroom detached house total area 153m2. Cost for heating, lighting and hot water – £528.00/yr. Co2 emitted 2.9 tonnes/yr
A two bedroom semi detached house built in 1850 total area 82m2. Cost for heating, lighting and hot water – £1018.00/yr. Co2 emitted 6.8 tonnes/yr
Apart from the additional harm to the environment that’s twice as much money for a house half the size! By implementing the changes suggested in the EPC the second house could save £537.00/yr and reduce their Co2 emissions by 49%