This is a certificate that reveals the energy performance of a home or commercial establishment. A commercial energy performance certificate (EPC) recommends how to make your place more energy efficient. Regardless of whether you’re renting or selling your home, you need to have an EPC. This requires getting accredited commercial energy assessors to ensure that your property is fully compliant.

How to get an EPC

In the property market, potential buyers usually request this certificate. Before putting your commercial property on the market, ensure to contact a professional energy assessment company with technicians who will ensure that your property meets expected standards. You can find a reputable company online or ask for recommendations from friends and family. Ensure to read reviews about their services to ensure you’re working with accredited energy assessors.

Details included on the certificate

This certificate shows two ratings showing your energy usage and carbon dioxide emissions. Getting a higher rating is proof that your property is more energy efficient. This is displayed in easy to read tables showing current rating and possible rating. Additionally, the EPC shows potential energy savings if you follow the recommendations from the technician. The rating grade is from A to G and A is the most efficient. Most properties have an E rating.

Similar grading applies to other properties to ensure comparison of energy efficiency in various properties. These calculations are determined through standardised heating, occupancy, and location assumptions. A commercial EPC in Londonconsiders particular elements including wall cavity insulation, double glazed windows, heating, and loft insulation. Additionally, the source of hot water and light efficiency is considered as well.

Buildings that don’t need a commercial energy performance certificate include:

• Places of worship
• Industrial sites with low energy demand
• Temporary buildings planned for less than two years
• Standalone buildings with less than 50m2 total useful floor area
• Workshops and non-residential agricultural buildings using low energy

Cost of getting a commercial EPC

The budget for the certificate depends on the time the assessor will spend to inspect your property. This usually involves gathering required information and making a recommendation report. The cost also depends on the size and complexity of your property. Additionally, the market might also determine the cost of your commercial EPC basing on the number of customers requesting for the services at the same time.

Contents in the recommendations report

After inspection, the commercial energy assessor prepares a recommendations report to help you enhance energy efficiency. This report might include appropriate improvements with a payback period categorised according to the period including:

• Short payback of less than three years
• Medium payback of three to seven years
• Long payback of more than seven years
• Other recommendations according to assessor’s knowledge

Validity of the certificate

A commercial EPC is valid for 10 years until a new one is required. Any commercial property in the UK needs this certificate handy when exchanging contracts for sale or letting out your property. The certificate is necessary when putting your property on the market and must be available for potential buyers to view when checking out the property.

The landlord has an obligation to ensure that the property has a valid commercial EPC. This is mandatory before offering your property for sale or let. The certificate is necessary even when an agent manages the property. During the construction process, an EPC is required for the property obtained by the contractor. In addition, the Building Control office must be informed after acquiring the EPC and recommendation report.

Situations where a commercial EPC isn’t required, include:

• Lease surrender
• Renewing or extending a lease
• Compulsory purchase orders
• Sale of company shares where the company owns the property

Penalties for non-compliance

The local trading standards officer enforces EPC compliance before selling or letting a property. Failure to abstain this certificate makes you liable to a civil penalty charge. In case the compliance officer receives a complaint, you’ll be requested to offer a copy of the commercial EPC and corresponding recommendations report in seven days. You can appeal the penalty of you requested for an EPC at least fourteen days before the complaint.

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you’re looking forward to selling or letting your property, you need a commercial energy performance certificate. This is mandatory and issued by an accredited energy assessor.

Author Bio: James Dean is a content handler and blogger who loves to write as freelancer for their readers and followers. Dean has a fantastic ability to make the most complex subject matter easy to understand.