A climate of change

Environmental awareness was the order of the day at the recent CIBSE annual conference, from the eco-chic Jute goody bags to the speaker who suggested CIBSE should be rebranded as the Chartered Institution of Building Sustainability Engineers.

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was the hot topic on everyone’s lips. But then, as one of the most important pieces of legislation to hit the construction industry in recent times, that came as no surprise.

The Directive will assess the energy efficiency level of new and existing buildings. It comes into force for the sale of dwellings on 1 June and for the construction of dwellings on 1 October this year. The new Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) will be required for the construction of non-dwellings and the sale/rent of non-dwellings over 500m2 on 6 April 2008 (see table).

Ted King, principal officer (energy) of the Buildings Regulations Division, Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) commented: “Energy certificates and recommendation reports will incentivise improvement, as there will be an impact on sale and rental values on properties and the display of energy certificates will result in public pressure.”

The labelling scheme consists of seven bands, A to G, with sub bands (for example, A1, A2, A3) for each. The top of band A denotes zero CO2. Buildings that have been constructed to the Part L 2 standard will attain a B/C rating. But the average for existing buildings in the UK is a D/E.

“One EPC will cover an entire office building, even if let floor by floor, unless there is floor by floor servicing,” explained King. “Retail space requires one EPC per unit unless entrances are via a common mall with shared services.”

According to the European energy commissioner, the amount of energy consumed by our buildings could be reduced by up to 22% by 2010 under the new directive.

The European climate change programme predicts that the EPBD could deliver carbon dioxide reduction of 45 million tonnes over the next three years. In order to meet the agreed Kyoto targets, the European Union was informed that it must implement reductions of 330 million tonnes of CO2 between 1990 and 2010.

There’s a lack of reliable benchmark data. Data centres, for example, need greater levels of cooling...There’s a danger of it getting too complicated.

Liz Peace, CEO, British Property Federation

The UK is one of the last member states to put the EPBD into practice; the Directive was issued by the EU Parliament back in January 2003. Our government has been slow on the uptake, and there is growing concern that the now-hurried implementation has resulted in poor organisation.

“There’s a lack of reliable benchmark data,” said Liz Peace, CEO of the British Property Federation. “What do you factor in? Data centres, for example, need greater levels of cooling. Are people a factor? Surely if you’re dealing with a building that houses a large number of people, that has to be taken into consideration. There’s a danger of it getting too complicated.”

Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency, commented: “Public buildings do have to provide a lead. But whether we’re talking about government, commercial or industrial buildings, there can be no doubt that the pressure is on to ensure good carbon performance throughout the whole of the building stock.” He added: “There’s only one direction the industry can go. We need to turn this pressure into market value.”

Fleet of foot contractors will be quick to offer energy audits or advice on performance improvements and best practice, be they simple lighting controls or renewable energy solutions.

In particular, Harman addressed the need for increased whole house ventilation – a system often found in eco-conscious countries such as Sweden.

Inspection and testing under the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive

In order to reduce energy consumption, Article 9 of the EPBD requires governments to establish regular inspections of all air conditioning systems with an effective rated output of more than 12 kW.

This must include an assessment of the efficiency and sizing compared to the cooling requirements of the building. Appropriate advice will be provided to users on possible improvements or replacements.

There will be an impact on sale and rental values and the display of energy certificates will result in public pressure.

Ted King, principal officer (energy), Buildings Regulations Division, DCLG

Paul DeCourt from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) discussed the new provisions for air conditioning assessment and the drivers for inspection.

“Since 1990, the application of air conditioning across Europe has risen by more than 250%. UK energy consumption from air conditioning is predicted to rise from 15 TWh to 20 TWh by 2020,” said DeCourt. “Around 40% of air conditioning across Europe will be more than 15 years old by 2010,” he added. “The EPBD aims to use inspection as a route to improving, refurbishing and replacing air conditioning systems.”

Article 10 of the EPBD states that inspection should be carried out in an independent manner by qualified and/or accredited experts, with Regulation 25 setting out the framework for approval of accreditation schemes by the Secretary of State. CIBSE is working with FETA, HVCA and others to develop an assessment methodology that satisfies the new legislative requirements. This guidance is to be published as CIBSE Technical Memorandum TM44:2007.

From January 2008, all new air conditioning systems will need to be inspected within five years of being put into service. All existing systems over 250 kW will be subject to inspection from 4 January 2009.

The Article 9 inspection is not a full audit or costs benefits analysis – it is designed to stimulate voluntary improvement.

DeCourt extolled the benefits of the European AUDITAC, a two-year project which will enable air-conditioning system inspectors, auditors, owners and operators across Europe to confidently identify actions that will save them money and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. It improves system efficiencies by building upon Article 9 inspections through investment grade audits, improvement works and better operation and management.

The project offers a number of new tools to aid the process, including a database of case studies and best practice and ACcost, a programme which helps to calculates air conditioning running costs.

For economy, it is anticipated that inspection can be carried out alongside other activities, such as periodic maintenance, safety checks and F-gas check. This provides wiley contractors with another strong incentive to expand business opportunities by moving into maintenance.