New EPCs for commercial property
Wednesday, 02 Jul 2008 09:39
New EPCs for commercial property
The government has announced it is to extend energy performance certificate (EPC) requirements to smaller business premises.
As part of the phased introduction of EPCs, the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) is today extending the certificates to business premises over 2,500 m2 when built, sold or rented.
At present only buildings over 10,000m2 require an EPC.
Commercial buildings of this size have been scoring an average 'C' energy rating, according to early results from (CLG).
The documents were introduced to the commercial sector in 2007, with some 800,000 builders since evaluated.
"We all recognise the serious and real threat of climate change," said local government minister Iain Wright.
"A major part of our response must be around improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions."
New information following on from the launch of EPCs to commercial buildings with a total floor area greater than 10,000m2 shows the top five recommendations given by assessors for improving energy efficiency have been:
Introducing more energy efficient lighting.
Introducing solar control measures - reflective coating, shading devices to windows - to reduce cooling demand.
Introducing electronic control gear to improve efficiency of fluorescent lighting.
Installing solar water heating.
Undertaking a review of boiler plant to look for energy efficiency improvements.
If businesses undertake these recommended improvement significant energy savings can be made and reductions in CO2 emissions.
It is thought EPCs will be rolled out to cover the entire commercial sector in October.
"If government and business - landlords and tenants, employers and employees - work together, the UK could save 40 million tonnes of carbon by 2020," concluded Mr Wright.
Chris O'Toole