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We make decisions, and those decisions swivel around and make us. If you're considering bettering your life through the use of Qualified Domestic Energy Contractors, then help yourself influence the effect you desire. Too many people deal with life like it’s a lottery ticket. If you wait around for long enough, your number will come up.A commercial EPC provides an energy rating for a building which is based on the performance potential of that building. Services such as lighting, heating and ventilation are taken into account as well as the way in which these services are controlled. The now industry standardized A – G energy rating given on the certificate will reflect the intrinsic energy performance standard of the building relative to a benchmark. This rating could then be used by potential buyers or tenants to make comparisons between properties. Every domestic and commercial building in England and Wales must have an EPC. If you are leasing a property, you must have ordered the EPC before the property goes on the market. The only types of buildings that are exempt include some listed buildings and residential buildings or rented holiday accommodation which are in use for less than four months a year. A room rented out by a residential landlord is also let off the hook. While currently acceptable, an E rating means there is room for improvement. And, with the UK government pushing ahead to meet net-zero targets by 2050, it’s looking increasingly likely that all UK homes will need to have an EPC rating of C or above in the not too distant future. Wondering how to to improve your EPC rating? There are many benefits to improving an EPC E rating. Not only will you be helping to lower your home’s carbon emissions but, the more energy efficient your home is, the warmer and more comfortable it is likely to be, too. From January 2009 all commercial property that is offered for let, sale or lease will require a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate. This is mandatory under the National Building Regulations and forms part of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) which is an EU initiative. All member states are required to have these rules introduced by 2009. The potential benefits of energy efficiency measures include improved physical health such as reduced symptoms of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, rheumatism, arthritis and allergies, as well as fewer injuries. In cold climates, energy efficiency improvements can lower rates of excess winter mortality while in hot climates; they can help reduce the risk of dehydration and negative health impacts. The benefits for more efficient buildings are obvious, and office occupiers should also consider carefully what works might be necessary during their lease term and how this could impact on the use of the premises. It is in the interests of both landlords and homeowners (especially those who plan to sell their property at some point) to continue to improve the energy efficiency of their properties to achieve a higher rating where necessary. While the minimum energy rating is currently E, this is likely to change in the coming years, as the government strives to reduce carbon emissions through improving the energy efficiency of properties. Commercials need energy-saving measures just like the rest of us, and EPC can help them achieve this. By implementing the right EPC measures, businesses can save up to 40% on their energy bills each month. In general terms the EPC provided or made available should reflect the accommodation being sold or rented out. In terms of the requirement for an EPC, buildings can have multiple tenancies, differing lease agreements, various sub-letting arrangements and different uses (e.g. mixed retail, residential and office accommodation). Energy performance certificates, or EPCs, are reports that rate a property’s energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions. All properties available for rent must have an EPC in place, landlords who fail to provide EPCs to their prospective tenants can be prosecuted and face a fine. Formulating opinions on matters such as mees regulations can be a time consuming process. Domestic Energy AssessmentsA commercial EPC assessor will need access to the entirety of the property in order to properly measure the property, so please ensure that they have access to all areas. Next, they will then examine the key items in the property such as any heating and cooling systems, the presence and levels of the insulation, the type of glazing and material of the window frames, as well as the hot water and lighting systems. After completion of the survey, your assessor will upload the data into a program which calculates the current level of energy efficiency. This program also then generates the potential efficiency rating of the property. There is a long term issue for the commercial property owner or occupier in the sustainability of the premises. This has capital value and rent ability implications if not immediately then certainly in the future as people involved in the letting, sale or lease of commercial properties become more aware of the implications of what a poor Commercial Property Energy Performance Certificate means and how it will impact them. Current laws state that when you propose to sell a domestic property you are required to have ordered an EPC at the time the property goes on the market. All estate agents must ensure that a full Energy Performance Certificate is uploaded within 28 days of marketing. If you’re a homeowner, you can get a better return on your investment by opting for solutions where your home has a good energy rating, allowing you to save on your energy bills. As of the 1st April 2012, you’ll also need an Energy Performance Certificate of band D or higher if you want to have solar panels installed in your home and receive the standard rate from the Feed-in Tariff. If your property is below band D when you first apply for the Feed-in Tariff you will receive a lower rate, which will remain the case even if you improve your home’s energy performance at a later date. Advising on matters such as mees will provide benefits in the long run.Most our Energy Assessors are full accredited, polite and professional extending these qualities to you and your property. All commercial properties require an Energy Performance Certificate when being sold or let. Ratings are often used by tenants or potential buyers to make energy comparisons between properties. The survey on a commercial property is carried out in much greater depth than for residential properties. It is usual for a site visit to take a minimum of two hours, although more complex properties can take a day or more. Once all the information is collected from the site visit, the assessor needs to spend about the same time again 'Modelling' the property with specialist software, adding in the heating, cooling, lighting and hot water systems for each zone. Once this is done a rating is produced, along with a recommendation report. After carrying out a brief survey of the property, an EPC assessor will place the house on a colour-coded scale from A to G – A being the most efficient band with the cheapest fuel bills and G the least efficient. Once issued, an EPC rating is valid for 10 years. Before properties can be marketed for sale or rent, they need a valid EPC and it must be less than ten years old. If there is no valid EPC, the landlord will need to commission one. Non-compliance with commercial EPC legislation is enforced by the local authority and may result in a fine of up to 12.5% of the rateable value of the property, with a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £5,000. This is in addition to the cost of a compliant commercial EPC. Research around non domestic epc register remains patchy at times.Who Does This Apply To?When trying to get to a EPC rating of a B, you may have to use actual calculated u-values, instead of software assumed u-values. A u-value is the rate that heat is lost through an element. The lower the u-value, the better an element is at reducing heat loss. So for example an un-insulated cavity wall will have a u-value of 1.50 and an insulated cavity wall a u-value of 0.70. To calculate the Energy Performance Certificate, a qualified assessor will come to your property and look at different varieties of factors to better understand how energy is used in the home. This includes looking at any potential for heat or energy loss, checking for insulation throughout the property, looking at how efficient the heating system and water is, inspecting whether you have double – glazing, energy efficient light bulbs etc. Under current regulations, all commercial buildings must have an EPC assessment carried out if the building is to be sold, leased, or is having construction work carried out. During a commercial EPC, a qualified assessor will visit your building and carry out an inspection. The data will later be analysed before providing your property with an energy rating as described above. You will also be provided with detailed recommendations on how to improve the energy performance of your building. If you are selling, renting or commissioning a new building you must have an EPC undertaken because if you don’t the penalties could be severe. Enforcement agencies have the power to investigate and request a copy of the EPC and the accompanying recommendations report. The responsible person has 7 days to produce this documentation upon request. Commercial EPCs are prepared using government approved IES (Integrated Environmental Solutions) software for your confidence. Assessors will conduct a site survey to identify your building’s rating based on factors such as the heating, lighting and ventilation. Alongside the EPC rating you will also receive a recommendations report, with actionable tips on how to improve energy performance and meet the minimum standards set by MEES regulations. Professional assistance in relation to commercial epc can make or break a commercial building project.During a commercial EPC survey the assessor will take measurements and photographs of the building, and make notes about the way the building is constructed, the space and water heating, ventilation and lighting. The survey is only of the building itself, so energy use from any industrial process etc. that may be undertaken inside is not taken into account. EPCs must be carried out by an accredited domestic energy assessor which you can source in your area at the government’s official EPC register. However, if you are using an estate agent to sell your home or letting agent to rent it, it should be part of their job to ensure there is a valid EPC on the property. A Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which is valid for up to 10 years, measures the energy efficiency of a property using a rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The report also contains typical energy costs and recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money. A Commercial EPC is much more detailed than a Residential EPC and is carried out by a qualified Commercial Energy Assessor. At any time, an EPC for a property MUST reflect the actual property it is being used for. Where a building has a dual purpose, perhaps a residential dwelling within an office, a separate EPC will be needed. In effect, anything classed as being designed or altered for separate use would require its own EPC. Where an inhabitant can separately control heating and ventilation and have separate access to the other occupants, an EPC for that particular purpose-built area would be needed. Buildings are responsible for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions. Ensuring new buildings are sustainable and energy-efficient will be key to our efforts to tackle climate change. Green buildings can also benefit employees, bottom lines and investors. You may be asking yourself how does a epc commercial property fit into all of this?Attention To DetailUnder the current MEES regime, any new or renewal lease, or lease extension, granted in respect of commercial properties in England and Wales must (subject to certain exemptions) have a valid energy performance certificate (EPC) showing an energy efficiency rating for the property of between 'A+' and 'E' (with 'A+' being the best). Ratings of 'F' and 'G' denote the property as sub-standard in energy efficiency terms. In Scotland an EPC displays the approximate CO2 emissions and energy usage of the building based on a standardised use of the building. The rate is expressed as the CO2 emissions in kg per m2 of floor area per year, and it determines where the building sits on a seven band scale from A to G. DECs must be displayed in a prominent place and easily visible for the general public - such as at the entrance area of the building. Failing to display a DEC can result in a £500 fine. Find additional information regarding Qualified Domestic Energy Contractors on this UK Government Portal link.Related Articles:More Background Information About Commercial Energy Performance Certificate ContractorsMore Background Information About Non-Domestic Energy Performance ContractorsMore Background Information With Regard To Commercial and Domestic EPC AssessorsExtra Information On Domestic and Commercial EPC AssessorsMore Background Insight With Regard To Accredited Energy AssessorsFurther Information With Regard To Commercial Energy Performance ContractorsMore Information On Non-Domestic EPC Assessors
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