The government has bowed to pressure from the property sector and given them a grace period for introducing the forthcoming Energy Performance Certificates.

Originally, property owners needed to have an EPC if their building was over 10,000m2 and on the market to be sold on or after 6 April. This has now been changed. If the building is already on the market prior to 6 April it need not have an EPC until is it about to be sold or until 1 October at the latest.

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) announced the decision to avoid what is said could be potential “confusion” over the introduction of the controversial certificates.

Industry commentators suggest that there simply isn’t enough qualified engineers to assess a building and write out an EPC. Also, pilot programmes to test the essential software to analyse the building’s EPC energy ratings have only just begun.

CIBSE has said it is on target to have at least 100 approved energy assessors in place by 6 April.

EPCs and the energy consumption notices, Display Energy Certificates (for buildings occupied by public authorities) are part of the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings directive.

The European Commission announced in late February that it is taking the UK and Belgium to court for failing to implement sufficient measures and legislation relating to the directive, originally due by 4 January, 2006.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor