Energy Performance Certificates required for commercial properties

Commercial properties in England and Wales and require an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Working on a scale of A (very efficient) to G (very inefficient), an EPC quantifies the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from a building and its services, including heating and air conditioning, allowing purchasers to compare performance in carbon emissions and factor it into their buying decision.

From 1 October 2008, the marketing of commercial buildings will be prohibited unless an EPC has been obtained and, in the case of a new building, the builder will be required to have an EPC before the building control inspector issues a completion certificate.

Approximately 50 per cent of the UK’s energy consumption arises from the heating, lighting and cooling of buildings.

Faithful+Gould is the first company to agree a contract with the RICS for the provision of assessment and accreditation services and has formed team of commercial energy assessors.

The firm's associate director Christopher Cuthbert,said: “In developing this core national team now, our Building Surveyors will be accredited by the RICS and will be qualified Commercial Energy Assessors within the next month – well ahead of the 1st October deadline.”

Shaun Lunn, director and Faithful+Gould’s EPC expert said: “As energy usage and carbon omissions are becoming key considerations on a tenant’s agenda, EPCs will prove crucial in establishing the level of CO² omissions from a property. Everyone in the property sector will be required to be more flexible in making improvements to meet user expectations and market demands to ensure the sale and re-letting of their premises.”