It is easy to assume that because both the residential and commercial EPC share the same name that they are similar entities and require similar surveys or skills, but nothing could be further from the truth. It is best to think of them as cousins, related in history, but separate families.

A Commercial EPC is far more complicated and requires the assessor to survey in much more detail the Thermal Elements of the property.

When is a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (CEPC) required? Non-domestic EPCS became compulsorty in January 2009. They are required on almost all commercial premises at the point of marketing and should be made available to the applicant at the earliest opportunity. The only exemptions are buildings that are scheduled for demolition or temporary buildings or those premises under 50 sqm and are detached.

Commercial EPCS fall into two categories. If the property is for sale then the EPC is valid for 3 years; unless there is work carried out that alters the thermal dynamics of the property like changing the boiler from a non-condensing to a condensing boiler or installing double glazing. An updated or new EPC would then be required. If the property is being let the EPC will be valid for ten years unless changes are carried out.

The Non-Domestic EPC will provide customers with a rating of how efficient their property is. Is also will provide recommendations as to what improvements can be made.

The energy efficiency rating is a measure of the overall efficiency of the property. The higher the rating the more energy efficient the property is and the lower the fuel bills will be.

What does the EPC consist of:

Improvement report for adding value to you commercial Energy Performance Certificate

The non domestic EPC will provide customers with a rating of how energy efficient their property is. It will also provide recommendations as to what improvements can be made. An improvement report will provide information which shows the current energy performance in terms of heating, lighting and hot water cost for the property and the projected performance and related costs should the recommended improvements be carried out.

If the improvements are carried out then EAL can inspect the changes or verify them with pictorial evidence, relodge the EPC and produce the new updated CEPC.

Why carry out the improvements recommened on a property if it is not compulsory to do so?

The Government's aim is to reduce energy consumption. It is only a matter of time before business rates are linked to energy efficiency. EPCs will also become compulsory for all buildings. The value of a property for sale or rent will be directly linked to its energy efficiency.

The Commercial Energy Performance Certificate Improvements Report provides you with the opportunity to improve your property's marketability and value.

What to consider when commissioning an non-domestic epc

The Government’s aim is to reduce energy consumption. It is only a matter of time before business rates are linked to energy efficiency. EPCS will also become compulsory. The energy performance certificate is an opportunity for you to improve you property’s marketability and value. The value of the property will have a direct correlation with how energy efficient it is in both letting and sales.

We can help you improve your property’s rating before the report is produced. We can also provide you with an updated report if improvements are carried out at a later date.
Our improvement’s report will give you an analysis of how different recommendations will impact on the epc.

Our assessors our here to help advise you on how best to make improvements on your property which will reduce your bills and improve the value of your property.

Implementation of measures

• 6th April 2008 - EPC’s for sale/rental/construction of buildings other than dwellings > 10,000m2

• 1st July 2008 - EPC’s for sale/rental/construction of buildings other than dwellings > 2,500m2

• 1st October 2008 - EPC’s for sale/rental/construction of all buildings other than dwellings.

Any property already on the market for rental or sale will also require an EPC by October 2008.

An advisory report is also provided, suggesting where improvements can be made to reduce the cost of heating or conditioning that space, increase the efficiency of your heat and air conditioning systems, and reduce your impact on the environment.

The information collated during the inspection is detailed and includes several elements of the building. The EPC can take from between 90 minutes for a small lock up shop to over a week for larger commercial premises. The inspection will include:

• Analysis of building design
• Detailed building plans (if not available)
• Analysis of building fabric and what building is used for
• Analysis of Lighting, Heating and Air Conditioning Systems
• Analysis of building structure and calculation of insulation measures in place
• Reports and graphs - diagnostics

Energy Assessors London is well-placed to help you be compliant with the new laws, and plan how to accurately and efficiently manage your commercial property, whether you run a small retail unit, a chain of factory units or large complex office blocks.

Our assessors are fully qualified, accredited and insured professionals who will carry out all the necessary checks with the minimum of delay. Our coverage is nationwide. Our established relationships with agents, solicitors and investors testify to our professional attitude and understanding of the commercial world.

The commercial energy performance certificate is required for anyone who owns or is leasing, sub-leasing or thinking about the sale of commercial or industrial premises in London. Managing agents, facilities managers have to provide any log books or maintenance information to the assessor.

Energy Performance Certificates are carried out by qualified energy assessors who will collate the data on site and then process the information into SBEM (Simpliefied Building Energy Model) which will calculate the energy rating of the building. This is required as part of the EU directive (EPBD). The assessor will also have the discretion to add or delete aspects of the report in relation to what he thinks is most relevant or beneficial to the owner in terms of new technology and systems that will improve the carbon footprint of the building.

Any new building being built over 1000m2 will be required to have 10% of the budget spend on consquential improvements. For refurbishments if 10sqm or 25% of the works will also have the discretion to add or delete aspects of the report in relation to what he think is most relevant or beneficial to the owner in terms of new technology and systems that will improve the carbon foot print of the building.

Any new building being built over 1000m2 will be required to have 10% of the budget spend on consequential improvements .

Finding a Commercial Energy Assessor in London

Each type of building requires specific assessors.Please see below for a guide on what is appropiate for your property.

• NDEA Level 3 - An energy assessors qualified to produce Energy Performance Certificates for shops, retail premises, small facotry units producing less that 100kw of heating or less than 12kw of comfort cooling.
• NDEA Level 4 - Larger more complex buildings e.g. medium sized industrial premises and property which may contan large air condition and building energy management systems. i.e. over 100kw of heating or over 12kw of comfort cooling.
• NDEA Level 5 - Much larger buidings with complex structures.

Energy Assessors London has assessors to meet all your needs.

• Internal or external measurements of the property, floor plans and site notes of the individual characteristics of the property.
  
  
• Evidence of type of metres both electric and gas, boiler and type of heating controls.
  
  
• Analysis of loft and wall insulation.
  
  
• Photographic evidence of type of window, walls and appliances.
  
  
• Windows and doors to the external areas of the building might be opened to assess the thickness of the walls.
  
  
• Assessment of the lighting fixtures and type of bulbs in use.
  
  
• The average time of inspection is one hour.