Energy surveyors and assessors
Energy Assessments
Residential Energy Performance Certificates
What is an Energy Performance Certificate?
The EPC is a comprehensive report and will provide a summary of results for your property, in relation to the construction, heating and hot water. EPC reports also include recommendations for cost-effective improvements to the building, and the potential energy efficiency of the property if the measures are implemented will be given.
If properties do not have an EPC where required, penalty costs of up to £200 per property per day can be incurred.
All EPCs are carried out by an accredited and qualified Domestic Energy Assessor who will assess several aspects of the property, which includes details of its dimensions, construction and heating/hot water systems. This information is fed into an approved software programme which produces the EPC and recommendation report. The assessor will then record the certificate onto the national register and provide the customer or agent details of how to download the certificate from the Governments EPC Register. The certificate is then ready to be made available to prospective buyers or tenants.
Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPC)
Commercial buildings are responsible for 20% of the UKs energy consumption and carbon emissions and EPCs have been introduced as part of the EU Directive (EPBD) and to inform potential buyers or tenants about the energy performance of a building, so they can consider energy efficiency as part of their investment or business decision to buy or occupy that building. The EPC will provide an energy rating for the building based on its construction fabric and its services such as heating, lighting and ventilation. It is accompanied by a recommendations report showing how the energy performance of the building can be improved, together with a payback period. In most cases the recommendations report can recover the cost of the EPC within months of being implemented.
We operate a nationwide professional service using qualified and accredited Commercial Energy Assessors providing EPCs for all commercial buildings including Offices/Retail Units, Shops, Warehouses, Pubs, Restaurants & Industrial Units all at competitive prices and fast turnaround. Managing Director Steve Mulvihill is a qualified Commercial Energy Assessor and has had over 30 years experience in most areas of construction and property development. He is a qualified Electrical Technician and Energy Assessor with vast experience of Electro-mechanical systems and building services including Lighting, Heating and Ventilation. As a dedicated Energy Conservationist he is always available to give you practical and cost effective advice on the recommendations report that you receive with your EPC. This can include comparison reports showing the buildings asset value if you were to:
- Upgrade lighting & heating systems
- Add additional controls
- Metering
- Additional insulation or glazing
- Install renewable energy systems such as wind turbine or solar heating
Energy assessment and compliance
Air Conditioning Inspections are now required under the EU EPB Directive 2007. Existing air conditioning systems greater than 250kW will need their first inspection by 4th January 2009. Existing systems greater than 12kW will need their first inspection by 4th January 2011. The primary aim of the inspection is to give building owners and managers the information about their buildings and plant, and to identify opportunities to save energy and cut operating costs.
We are accredited Level 4 Air Conditioning Energy Assessors operating nationwide with fast reliable service & competitive prices. Don’t leave it too late – The penalty for failing to have an air conditioning inspection report is currently fixed at £300.00
How much will it cost?
As most air conditioning systems are different and individually designed for the buildings they are serving, the cost of the Air Conditioning Inspection will depend highly on how much information you can supply to us e.g. number of units, asset list etc.
It will not stop the inspection going ahead if you have no information on the Air Conditioning System Plant & Equipment. However it may take us some extra time to gather the information during the survey, which may affect the cost.
Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
From January 9th 2013, all public buildings with a total useful floor area greater than 500m² are required to have a Display Energy Certificate (DEC) and advisory report
Following the recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD); a Display Energy Certificate will be required for Public buildings over 500m² occupied or part occupied by public authorities or by institutions providing public services and therefore frequently visited by the public.
DEC’s provide an energy rating of a building from A-G, where ‘A’ is very efficient and ‘G’ is the least efficient. A DEC must be accompanied by an advisory report and the owner of the building must have a valid one available. The advisory report highlights recommendations to improve the energy performance of the building.
How long is a Display Energy Certificate valid?
Where the building has a total useful floor area of more than 1,000m², the DEC is valid for 12 months. The accompanying advisory report is valid for seven years. Where the building has a total useful floor area of between 500m² and 1,000m², the DEC and advisory report are valid for 10 years.
What are the penalties for Non Compliance?
A local authority can issue a penalty charge notice of £500 for failing to display a DEC at all times in a prominent place clearly visible to the public, and £1,000 for failing to possess or have in their control a valid advisory report. In addition to these penalties, it will still be necessary to commission the documents.
From July 2015 the DEC threshold will be reduced to 250m² which would affect much smaller sites and organisations.
This threshold and date has not yet been confirmed, however, the organisations that could be affected by these proposed changes should not wait around. Energy efficiency should be on the agenda of every public authority and company in the UK and acting now can save a lot of time and expense.
How can Energyprotech help you?
Our fully qualified energy assessors can provide your Display Energy Certificate and accompanying Advisory Report with a fast, reliable and competitive service.