subject: Improving The Energy Performance Of Buildings [print this page] To combat this issue of high carbon emissions, Energy Performance Certificates were introduced. Energy Performance Certificates help to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
Whether you are a seller, buyer or landlord of any property in the UK, you are required by law to have an Energy Performance Certificate before you can make any transactions related to the building.
Energy Performance Certificates are issued with a rating between A to G. A is the most energy efficient, while G is the least and D has been found to be an average level of efficiency between most of the respondents in the current economic conditions.
The Department of Finance and Personnel is responsible for improving the energy efficiency of buildings, including:
- Energy performance certificates for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement;
- Buildings owned by the government are required to display energy certificates, so that they can set a standard for others to follow.
- The Department of Finance and Personnel are also responsible for inspections for air conditioning systems of public and private properties. Air conditioners consumer a very high level of electricity to function properly. Thus, finding out an effective way of using air conditioning would definitely help to be energy efficient and at the same time, reduce the electricity bill.
- As most of the business owners and government officials who are responsible for day to day operations and maintenance of public buildings are not always aware of how high the carbon emissions of their buildings are, it is important to educate them about the cause and effects of high carbon emission. By offering advice and guidance, building owners would be able to reduce the carbon emissions of the property.
- Boilers are used for heating of the premises and also to get hot water. Being an important appliance in any household or office building, it is essential to check that the boiler is in a good condition and is not faulty, which could pose serious health threats. Moreover, boilers are also one of the highest energy consuming electrical devices used in a building. By offering advice on how to use a boiler efficiently carbon emissions could be substantially reduced.
