Commercial Property Energy Assessors EPC Buildings Inspectors DEC Display Energy Performance Certificates Providers

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates Energy Assessors, Energy Performance Certificate providers of Commercial EPC, Energy efficiency, non domestic buildings inspection by the Energy Assessor, using RdSAP & SAP or SBEM, DSM energy assessment procedures will commence from 6 April 2008. This website is intended to offer advice and a guide to the new guidelines being introduced by the Government during 2008.

Commercial Energy Assessment and inspection of buildings will be assessed by an accredited commercial energy assessor (also referred to as CEA or (NDEA Non-Domestic Energy Assessor). The approved methods to be used are SAP & SBEM and DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model) using proprietary software by the energy rating inspector. Off-plan housing developments will continue to use SAP calculations for new build dwellings.

After these deadlines any commercial property or non-dwellings (and public use) which is placed on the property market for sale, lease or rent in England and Wales requires an energy inspection by an Energy Assessor and an Energy Performance Certificate (Commercial EPC) obtained.

EPC - Energy certificates rate the energy performance of a building.

DEC - Display Energy Certificates (DECs) show the actual energy usage of a building, and it's Operational Rating, and provide information to the public for the energy efficiency of a building. (Applicable to Public Buildings only)

Display Energy Certificate
This type of certificate is issued for public buildings only. The certificate must be displayed in a public place. EPC Validity is 12 months from the date of issue. There are penalties, and fines imposed for failure to display a valid certificate.

Advisory Reports
The Advisory Report will contain recommendations for improving the energy performance of the building. A DEC is valid for 12 months and needs to be updated annually. The Advisory Report is valid for 7 years. There are penalties, and fines imposed for failure to produce a valid advisory report.

Proposed Display Energy Certificate (subject to change)
The certificate will also display an:
Asset Rating
Operational Rating

Asset Rating - means a numerical indicator of the amount of energy estimated to meet the different needs associated with a standardised use of a building, calculated according to the methodology approved by the Secretary of State.
Operational Rating - means a numeric indicator of the amount of energy consumed during the occupation of the building over a period of 12 months unless:
Where on 4th January 2009: the occupier of a building has been in occupation for less than 15 months or, entered into occupation of the building before 6th April 2008; or entered into occupation on or after that date but did not have an energy performance certificate made available or given to it. In these cases the operational rating specified may be calculated over the period in which the occupier has been in occupation.

SAP & SBEM Assessors
Energy Assessment of industrial buildings and Commercial EPC will require inspection of premises using Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) for New Build property developments and existing property, where for example an extension has been added to an existing home. Larger complex commercial/industrial buildings will be assessed using computer software using SBEM methodology (Simplified Building Energy Model) or DSM (Dynamic Simulated Model) methods.. All inspections will be carried out by an energy assessor, a competent person as defined under the National Occupational Standards. Where required, existing properties require Energy Ratings, this will also include public buildings. Refer to EPC Timetable.

Inspection and Energy Assessment will be split into the following groups:
Air Conditioning:
Energy Assessors for Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems - Existing installations will require inspection by an air conditioning inspector - Ensure your system is energy efficient, and have your system checked on a regular basis, please refer to Air Conditioning Inspectors for a register of specialists, also Air Conditioning Inspection procedures. For the scope of the inspection please refer to Air Conditioning Energy Assessors
Newly Constructed Homes & Dwellings:
Energy Assessors for newly constructed dwellings For newly constructed dwellings, (i.e. New Build Homes) the approved software will make use of the SAP approach. These are also known as On Construction Energy Assessors. See also SAP Assessors
Public Buildings:
Energy Assessors for Public Buildings (Display Energy Certificates) - Assessment procedures will consist of either one or all of the following methods - SBEM & DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model).
Non-Dwellings:
Energy Assessors for non-dwellings (Existing Buildings) - Non Dwellings consist of all buildings that are considered to be non-residential homes, i.e. for commercial or industrial use. Assessment procedures will consist of either one or all of the following methods - SAP, SBEM & DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model).

EPBD Surveys

From 6th April 2008
An EPC is required on construction for all dwellings. see SAP Assessors
EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2. SBEM methods are likely to be adopted. Please refer to SBEM Assessors

From 1st October 2008
Display Energy Certificates (DEC) required for all public buildings with floor area >1,000 m2

Rental Property, Private Landlords, & Buy-to-let Property Lettings - All properties will require Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) issued by a Domestic Energy Assessor on, or before this date. Further information for this sector is available at:
Social Housing EPC
Rented Property EPC
Landlords EPC

Public buildings and institutions will be required to display a DEC. A Display Energy Certificate shows the energy performance of a building based on actual energy consumption as recorded annually over periods up to the last three years. DECs need to be updated each year. Property and facilities managers affected by this new legislation will need to have annual energy meter readings and are advised to start collecting meter readings now to ensure they have sufficient data ready for 1st October 2008.

Cost of an EPC for commercial premises

Commercial EPC costs associated with the issue of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for non-dwellings or Display Energy Certificates (DEC) for public buildings are difficult to quantify due to the nature of the construction, the complexity, and size of the building which is being examined in each individual case. The EPC cost using SBEM calculations is difficult to ascertain due to the inherent properties of buildings which can vary greatly, almost certainly the EPC price for the commercial property market will be significantly higher than the domestic counterpart. Buildings which cannot be assessed using this calculation method will likely use DSM (Dynamic Simulation Model) which may incur even higher costs. SBEM calculation of energy ratings for buildings will cover approx 70% of the commercial property market. The information required to produce SBEM Calculations must be submitted by the asset owner. The associated costs of air conditioning energy assessment, if such a system is installed, must also be taken into account.

Private Sector

Many buildings will be affected by the introduction of Commercial Energy Performance Certificates in the future, these include but are not limited to:

Energy Certificates for Retail Units
Energy Certificates for New Build Homes
Energy Certificates for Shops
Energy Certificates for Industrial Units
Energy Certificates for Hotels
Energy Certificates for Offices and small business premises
Energy Certificates for New Build commercial units - SBEM Commercial Buildings Assessors required.
Energy Certificates EPC for Private rented property, social housing & landlords. A domestic energy assessor may be used in most cases, however dependent on the type of building and its construction a commercial energy assessor may be required.

From 1 October 2008, if you are renting out your property, you will need to provide a certificate to any prospective tenant. Refer to EPC Timetable

There is no need to obtain a Energy Performance Certificate for an existing tenancy. Once obtained, a certificate remains valid for up to 10 years.

If a valid Energy Performance Certificate still exists when changing tenants no new certificate is required. This applies to both private and social sector landlords and tenants.

The timetable and details for the implementation of EPC's for buildings has changed. (Nov 2007)
Please refer to: Commercial EPC for the revised schedule for implementation.

New - Commercial EPC Training Courses for Energy Assessors for a career in energy inspection of commercial buildings.

The Government will be introducing new checklists for owners of commercial premises regarding heating systems these checklists will be made available to enable businesses and building owners/occupiers to get information about the energy efficiency of their heating and hot water systems. Refer to Business Energy Saving Measures to reduce overheads and improve your buildings energy rating.

The checklist is designed to be completed by a heating engineer and given to a building owner/occupier during a service or maintenance visit. It gives a basic assessment of the efficiency of the heating and hot water systems and an indication of whether the customer would benefit from a more thorough assessment of their system.

Switching Energy Suppliers

Energy for business is not cheap, many companies are now revaluating the costs for commercial energy, as tariffs continue to rise, gas and electricity prices to the domestic consumer and commercial sector have increased significantly. If your company or business is considering an alternative supplier please refer to Switch Energy Suppliers for help and advice when switching energy providers.

What buildings will be affected by the introduction of DEC's?

Only buildings occupied or part occupied either by a public authority or an institution providing a public service to a large number of persons and who are therefore frequently visited by those persons (referred to as relevant institutions), and with a total useful floor area greater than 1000m2 are affected by this legislation.

Private sector owned buildings do not require a DEC. Although the scheme may be extended to include the commercial sector.

For further information for building owners and or managers, including new build property developers on what information you must provide to assessors please refer to:

SAP Assessment - for new build "on construction" dwellings.
SBEM Assessment - for existing commercial buildings & new build units.

Where a building is partly occupied by a public authority or a relevant institution, the authority or institution is responsible for displaying a DEC and having a valid advisory report if they occupy is greater than 1000m2 useful floor area. Other private organisations occupying the building, irrespective of the size they occupy, do not need to display a DEC.

Commercial Energy Assessor Directory of SAP & SBEM Consultants - Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates EPCs and providers of energy assessment will be required for all other properties in the future including energy certificates for Social Housing inspection and Rented Property sectors. A Commercial Energy Assessor Forum is available online, with discussion board with matters relating to energy certificates for commercial/industrial buildings.

Commercial Buildings EPC Energy Training - A guide for available courses and assessment centres for Energy ratings and calculations for non-residential dwellings.

Commercial Energy Performance Certificate DEC Provider, SAP Ratings Assessor, or SBEM Consultants? Surveyors - Please refer to contact page and send your details to us for inclusion in the directory.

Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) (DEC)

Energy Assessors - Commercial Buildings Energy Assessment (Non Domestic)