Future Building Commercial EPCs: Your Questions, Our Answers
Explore our FAQs for help and guidance on Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs). If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our team!
What does EPC stand for, and what is it?
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate. An EPC is a document that provides a property’s energy efficiency rating on a scale of A—G for domestic properties and A+—G for commercial properties. EPCs are legal documents that must be in place for any property up for sale or rental. For more in-depth information, please read the FAQ page below, or for a more abridged version, see our Energy Performance Certificate pages.
How long will the Commercial Energy Performance Certificate inspection take?
Commercial EPC surveys typically take about 30 minutes for small commercial spaces. However, the inspection can take several days for larger spaces, such as hotels, warehouses, shows, or airports.
What does the assessor do on-site?
During the Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) inspection, the assessor will thoroughly evaluate your property to determine its energy performance. Here’s what the process involves:
- Measurements and Notes: The assessor will take precise measurements of your property and note key details that impact energy efficiency.
- Photographs: A series will document the building’s structure and energy-related features.
- Construction and Insulation: To evaluate heat retention, they will assess the building’s construction and the type and quality of insulation in place.
- Heating Systems: The space heating and hot water systems will be examined, ensuring they meet efficiency standards.
- Ventilation and Lighting: The assessor will also look at ventilation and lighting systems, checking for energy-saving opportunities.
This comprehensive review helps ensure that your EPC accurately reflects your property’s energy performance.
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my EPC inspection?
Preparation is essential to ensure a smooth and efficient EPC inspection. Once you’ve booked your inspection, we’ll email you a detailed guide to help you prepare. Here are the most critical steps to take:
- Ensure Easy Access: The assessor can easily access all building areas, from storage spaces to cupboards.
- Gather Key Documentation: Collect any documentation related to the building’s construction and insulation, as well as details on the space and hot water heating systems, ventilation, and lighting. This will help speed up the assessment and ensure an accurate rating.
By preparing ahead, you’ll ensure a hassle-free inspection and accurate results.
How long is my new EPC valid for?
Commercial Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are valid for 10 years from the date of lodgement. Once this period expires, it’s essential to renew your certificate to maintain compliance and ensure your property’s energy rating accurately reflects any updates or improvements.
Proactive Planning: Watch the expiry date to avoid any lapses. If you need assistance with renewals or want to enhance your property’s energy efficiency before your EPC expires, please get in touch with us. We’re here to help you every step of the way!
How can I check if my property already has an EPC?
You can search for existing EPCs on the government register at gov.uk/find-energy-certificate. If you would like, we can also check this for you at the time of booking.
How do Commercial Energy Performance Certificate EPC ratings work?
Commercial property EPCs asset ratings measure the total amount of Carbon emissions a building emits over a 1 year period.
Why You Can’t Get an On-Site Estimate
An EPC assessor cannot estimate your property’s EPC rating on-site. They must input all collected data into specialised EPC software that creates a 3D model of the building. This software calculates the energy efficiency rating based on various factors specific to commercial properties.
Commercial Rating Explained:-
Rating Scale: A commercial building’s energy performance is graded on an A+ to G scale, where G represents the lowest rating (as it emits more Carbon emissions than expected) and A+ the highest (emits less Carbon emission than expected). Additionally, it’s represented numerically from under 0 to
over 150, with scores under zero, indicating exceptional efficiency.
Factors Influencing Ratings: The final energy rating considers several critical elements, including:
- Heating Systems: The efficiency of heating installations.
- Lighting Systems: The effectiveness and energy consumption of lighting.
- Overall Design: How the building’s design impacts energy use.
Benchmark Comparisons: The EPC includes benchmarks that display energy ratings achieved by similar commercial buildings, allowing you to gauge your property’s performance against industry standards.
Legal Requirements: To legally rent out a commercial property, it must achieve an E rating on its EPC. Compliance with this requirement is vital for maintaining your rental operations and avoiding penalties.
How do I book?
To get a quote for a commercial EPC for your property, call us at 03333 445 504, use our quick online quote calculator, or fill in our contact form.
The basic information needed for a quote:
- Postcode
- Purpose of the building – Warehouse, Office etc.
- Approximate floor area
- Number of floors
Additional information that may help in providing a cheaper quote:
- Floor plans
- If no floor plans are available, the number of rooms (including WCs, etc.)
- The full address of the property
Next Steps After Receiving Your Quote
Once we provide you with a quote and you decide to proceed, we’ll need the following information:
- Invoicing Details: Your billing information for processing.
- On-Site Contact: The name and contact details of the person who will meet us on-site.
No Upfront Charges
We don’t charge upfront; you will receive an invoice for the work upon completion. Once we receive your payment, we will release the EPC and Recommendation Report to you. Our pricing includes lodging the EPC on the government register, ensuring that the quoted price is the total amount you will pay—no hidden fees.
Booking and Reporting Process
After booking, we will contact you (or your designated site contact) to schedule an appointment for the assessment. Following our site visit, the report typically takes about four working days to produce.
We’ll notify you when the report is ready and provide you with an invoice. Upon payment, we will email you your EPC and Recommendation Report, ensuring you have all the necessary documentation for your records.