Four quick questions on energy performance certificates are tackled

Q: How long are EPCs valid for?

A: An EPC for a non-dwelling will be valid for 10 years or until replaced with a newer one. As long as a valid EPC exists for the building, property owners or landlords can provide this to prospective buyers or tenants.

Q: How much will an EPC cost?

A: The price of EPCs will be set by the market and market demand. It is likely in practice that the cost will vary according to a number of factors including size, location and age of the building. Currently it could range from £1500 to more than £10,000, estimated by an EPC consultant.

Q: What contributes to the energy performance of a building?

A: Energy rating a building is a complex calculation that is based on a combination of factors. The key factors are:

  • the type of construction of the building (including walls, roofs, floors and glazing)
  • whether parts (zones) of the building are used for different purposes e.g. office, factory etc, and the occupancy profile for each zone
  • heating, cooling, ventilation and hot water systems used
  • lighting.

Q: Where can I find an energy assessor?

The accreditation schemes will maintain a list of their members and should be able to provide contact details of assessors local to your area. An energy assessor should always be able to provide details of the accreditation scheme (see the list below) of which they are a member, and their membership number. Our EPC channel will provide a list of assessors in due time.

Accreditation schemes for Non-residential Energy Assessment are operated only by the following organisations:

  • BESCA/HVCA
  • BRE
  • Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
  • Elmhurst
  • EPC Limited
  • National Energy Services
  • Northgate
  • Quidos
  • Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Source

Building Sustainable Design