The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was first introduced into the UK in January 2006, with a three year implementation period ending in January 2009, to combat the threat posed by climate change.

The principal aim of the legislation is to reduce carbon emissions by improving energy efficiency thereafter enabling the UK Government to achieve carbon reduction targets agreed under the Kyoto Protocol.

The Directive requires the introduction of Energy Performance Certification for residential and commercial buildings and in addition a legal requirement to Display Energy Certificates in public buildings.

Implementation of Legislation

The following is a summary of the key dates for implementation:

• From April 6th 2008, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be required for all new dwellings
• From April 6th 2008, EPCs will be required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000m
• From 1st July 2008, EPCs will be required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500m
• From 1st October 2008, EPCs will be required for the sale or rent of all other (existing) dwellings
• From 1st October 2008, EPCs will be required for the construction, sale or rent of remaining buildings other than dwellings
• From 1st October 2008, Display Energy Certificates (DECs) will be required for all public buildings with a floor area greater than 1,000m²
• From 4th January 2009, deadline for first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250kW
• From 4th January 2011, deadline for first inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12kWr

When is an EPC required?

EPCs contain information on the property’s energy efficiency and estimated running costs and also advise on further information on cost-effective improvements that can be made to a building. For Commercial property, whether for sale or letting, the EPC is valid for 10 years and must be made available to any prospective purchaser or tenant at the earliest opportunity before sale or letting. EPCs are only required for new lettings and sales. There is no requirement to obtain an EPC for an existing tenancy. If an EPC is valid, i.e. less than 10 years old, there is no requirement to issue a new EPC. Landlords and property managers are responsible for ensuring that an EPC and/or DEC are available.

EPC Assessors

There are three levels of assessor:

Level 3 relates to simple existing buildings with commonly occurring characteristics that can be modelled using the Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM).

Level 4 relates to new and more complex existing buildings that can be modelled using SBEM.

Level 5 relates to the most complex new and existing buildings that will need to be modelled using Dynamic Simulation methods.

All energy assessors must be registered with an approved government accreditation scheme.

The Simplified Building Energy Method (SBEM) will be used to measure the building’s energy use and produce the EPC certificate.

Head Projects Building Control can produce EPC certificates for dwellings and non-dwellings.

For further information on EPCs please contact:
smills@romans.co.uk