subject: Commercial Property Epc Energy Assessment And Energy Performance Certificates Dec [print this page] With the Government committed to reducing carbon emissions as close to zero by the year 2020 there are several initiatives that are now in practice regarding energy assessments and commercial properties. There are various ways in which this now affects private owners of leased or rented properties which includes homes and business. This also includes commercial units and industrial buildings within the UK.
DECs or Display Energy Certificates are certificates which show the energy usage of a public building when it is operational. This is also known as the Operational Rating. The DECs need to be on display in the building at all times so that anyone entering the building can see quickly the energy efficiency of that building.
As from January 2009 it has become mandatory for all buildings which are on the market for rent, sale or lease will need to have a Commercial EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) produced for it. These have to be completed by a NDEA (Non Domestic Energy Assessor) as the process of compiling a Commercial EPC is very different to that of a Domestic Energy Assessment. New build properties will require a visit by a SAP Energy Assessor who will be able to complete the assessment. Rented properties and domestic properties will require a visit from a Domestic Energy Assessor who will be able to conduct the assessment. As shown it is important that the right Energy Assessor visits a property to assess it as there are different levels of assessment and different levels of assessor.
Large commercial buildings which are highly complex will require the services of a Level 5 Energy Assessor who is trained in using SBEM software. This is software which is designed to meet the needs of complex buildings which do not fall into any of the other categories.
In addition to the above any commercial buildings with air conditioning systems will also require an Air Conditioning Inspection which will assess the energy consumption of the system.
Some of the buildings and properties which fall under this legislation are:
Office buildings.
Shops.
Retail units.
Hotels.
Industrial Units.
Government buildings.
Homes which have recently been built (new builds).
Commercial units which have recently been built (new builds).
Public institutions.
Rental properties.
As shown there are many buildings which now fall into the categories which will need energy assessments and DECs produced for them. Landlords for example, will now need to have valid EPCs for any of their properties which are going to be marketed for rental.
It is crucial that all buildings who now need an energy assessment carried out seek the services of trained professionals to do so. These Energy assessors must be fully licensed and accredited in order to produce the certificates after a full inspection. For more information on this and to book an energy assessment on your property speak to CR Energy who will only be too happy to assist you.
