About us
In 1997 many countries around the world recognised the growing problem of ever increasing levels of greenhouse gases and agreed to take action to reduce this problem. These countries signed up to the Kyoto Protocol which agreed a set of measures to reduce CO2 emissions.
As buildings are responsible for almost 50 percent of all energy consumed in the UK, it is vital that we make our buildings more energy efficient. Increasingly strict measures are being applied to new buildings but as a large proportion of cur existing buildings will still be in use in 2050, improving the performance of these buildings is a particular priority.
Communities and Local Government are leading the introduction of a number of energy and cost savings measures to make all buildings more efficient. The measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD). One of the most significant measures is the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC).
When will an EPC be required
Once the legislation is fully implemented, the Energy Performance Certificate will be required for all buildings whether they are being constructed, rented or sold.
The EPC contains a graph which is broadly similar to the labels now provided with domestic appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, and provides a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building based on a scale of A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.
EPC's are produced using the RdSAP methodology which makes various assumptions about energy usage thereby allowing the energy efficiency of one building to be easily compared with another building of the same type. Prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers can then consider the energy efficiency, carbon emissions and potential running costs of a building and factor this into their investment.
An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.
For further information and to be contacted by one of our specially trained advisors please complete the enquiry form on our contact page or telephone us directly on 0208 522 0001.
