Commercial EPC Certificate: The requirements and benefits
If you own or lease a non-domestic building in the UK, you will need a Commercial EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) to comply with legal requirements. Commercial EPC certificates provide information on a building's energy efficiency, providing owners with efficiency ratings from A to G, and recommendations on how to improve the energy performance of your building.
What is a Commercial EPC Certificate?
A commercial EPC certificate is a document that provides you with information on the efficiency of a commercial building's energy consumption. Ratings for this range from A to G, with an A rating being the most energy efficient and G being the least.
The EPC certification needs to be completed by an accredited energy assessor, who will check various areas of the building's energy consumption, including the building fabrics, heating, ventilation, hot water systems, lighting, renewable energy sources, and more.
The purpose of a commercial EPC is to encourage building owners and occupants to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings and reduce their carbon footprint. By providing this information, occupiers can make informed decisions on building improvements and reducing energy costs.
An infographic explaining what an EPC certificate is for commercial buildings, the ratings that are included, and why it’s important.
Are commercial EPC certificates a legal requirement in the UK?
Yes. In the UK Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are a legal requirement for commercial and non-domestic buildings. Regulation for commercial EPCs came into effect in 2008 under the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations (EPBR), meaning that commercial EPCs became mandatory if you construct, sell, or lease a commercial building.
It is the responsibility of the landlord or commercial building owner to ensure that a valid EPC check has taken place. Failure to provide one can result in a penalty charge notice ranging from £500 to a maximum of £5,000.
An infographic explaining if EPCs are a legal requirement on commercial buildings, and who’s responsible for getting them scheduled.
What is included in a Commercial EPC check?
The energy assessor will use the data collected to calculate the building's energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions and assign it an energy efficiency rating from A to G. The Commercial EPC will also include recommendations for improving energy efficiency, such as upgrading insulation, replacing heating and cooling systems, or installing more efficient lighting. Further details about each section of the EPC checks can be found below.
Building fabric
Assessment of the building materials includes checking the fabric of the roof, walls, windows, and doors of the building, their thermal efficiency, insulation levels, air leakages, and thermal performance.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
The energy assessor will collect data on all heating and cooling systems you may have in your commercial property, checking their age and efficiency, as well as how they are controlled. These checks are in accordance with the requirements in Part L of the Building Regulations.
Lighting systems
The energy assessor will evaluate the lighting systems, including the type of lamps and fixtures used, and their energy efficiency. This will include a range of tests from checking the number of energy-efficient light bulbs used in the property to the different bulb types.
Hot water systems
During the EPC check your energy assessor will also assess the hot water systems you use in the commercial property, including boiler type (Gas, electric, combi), its age, efficiency, and how it’s controlled. This is why it’s a good idea to get your boiler serviced annually.
Renewable sources of energy
If your building has any sort of renewable energy sources, this will also be taken into account. The most common renewable energy sources in or on commercial properties include solar panels, heat pumps, EV chargers, and in some extreme cases wind turbines.
Building occupancy
A portion of the commercial EPC test that people often forget about is building occupancy. Your assessor will collect data on the number of occupants in the building and their patterns of use which can play a role in energy consumption.
