When you’re looking for a commercial property, there’s a lot of information that you need to take into account. But one of the most important pieces of information is the EPC rating. An EPC rating is a measure of a building’s energy performance. It’s based on an assessment of the property, and it gives you an indication of how energy-efficient the property is. The higher the rating, the more energy-efficient the property is. And if you’re looking for a commercial property, you want to ensure that you’re getting a good deal on an energy-efficient property. In this blog post, we’ll explore what EPC ratings are and how they can help you when you’re looking for a commercial property.
What is EPC?
EPC stands for Energy Performance Certificate and is a document that contains information about the energy performance of a commercial property. The certificate is valid for 10 years and is required by law when a commercial property is sold or rented.
The EPC gives information on how to make your property more energy efficient and can be used to compare the energy efficiency of different properties. The certificate also provides an energy rating for the property from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).
If you are selling or renting your commercial property, you must provide potential buyers or tenants with an EPC. An EPC is not required if you are not selling or renting your property, but it may be useful if you are looking to improve the energy efficiency of your property.
Why do you need an EPC for your commercial property?
An EPC for your commercial property is important for a number of reasons. First, it can help you save money on your energy bills. An EPC can show you how to make your property more energy efficient, which can lead to lower energy costs.
Second, an EPC can help you comply with energy efficiency regulations. If your commercial property is required to meet certain energy efficiency standards, an EPC can show you what improvements need to be made in order to meet those standards.
Third, an EPC can add value to your property. If you are looking to sell or lease your commercial property, an EPC can make it more attractive to potential buyers or tenants by demonstrating that it is energy efficient.
Overall, an EPC is a valuable tool for any commercial property owner or manager. It can help you save money, comply with regulations, and add value to your property.
How to Get an EPC for Your Commercial Property
If you are a commercial property owner, you may be wondering how to get an EPC for your property. An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a document that provides information on the energy efficiency of a commercial property.
To get an EPC for your commercial property, you will need to contact a registered assessor and arrange for an assessment to be carried out. The assessor will carry out a number of tests and calculations to determine the energy performance of the property and will produce a report which includes the EPC.
How Much Does an EPC Cost for your commercial property?
An EPC for a commercial property typically costs between £350 and £1,000+VAT. The price will depend on the size and type of the property, as well as how many energy efficiency improvements have been made. For example, a large office building with no energy-saving measures in place is likely to cost more to assess than a smaller retail premise that has already had some energy-efficiency work done.
If you are thinking of having an EPC carried out on your commercial property, it is always best to get a few quotes from accredited assessors in your area. This way, you can be sure to get the best possible price for the assessment.
How Long Does an EPC Last for commercial property?
An EPC lasts for 10 years for commercial property. After this time, the property will need to be re-assessed in order to obtain a new certificate.
The different types of EPCs available
There are four different types of EPCs available for commercial properties in the United Kingdom:
- Display Energy Certificates (DECs)
- Operational Energy Ratings (OERs)
- Target Energy Ratings (TERs)
- Measured Energy Ratings (MERs)
Display Energy Certificates (DECs) are required by law for all buildings that are regularly occupied by more than one person and that have a total useful floor area of over 500m2. DECs give information about the building’s energy performance based on actual energy consumption data and provide recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of the property.
Operational Energy Ratings (OERs) are similar to DECs but are not required by law. They are voluntary ratings that provide an indication of a building’s operational energy performance based on actual energy consumption data. OERs can be used to benchmark the performance of a building against similar properties.
Target Energy Ratings (TERs) are another type of voluntary rating that provides an indication of a building’s potential energy performance. TERs are based on assumptions about how the property will be used and what measures will be put in place to improve energy efficiency. This can be used to inform decision-making about refurbishment or new build projects.
Measured Energy Ratings (MERs) are the most accurate type of EPC available as they measure the actual energy consumption of a property over a period of time. MERs can be used to verify the energy performance of a property and to provide evidence of the benefits of energy efficiency improvements.
Why get an EPC for your commercial property?
There are a number of reasons why you might want to get an EPC for your commercial property:
- To comply with the law – if your property is required to have a DEC, then you will need to obtain one.
- To save money – an EPC can help you to identify ways to reduce your energy consumption and lower your running costs.
- To increase the value of your property – an EPC can show potential buyers or tenants that your property is energy efficient and has low running costs. This could make it more attractive to them and increase its value.
- To improve the environment – by making your property more energy efficient, you can help to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment.
How to improve your commercial property’s EPC rating
If your commercial property has a low EPC rating, there are some things you can do to improve it. Making your property more energy efficient will help to lower your energy bills and make your property more attractive to potential tenants. Here are some tips on how to improve your commercial property’s EPC rating:
- Upgrade your lighting – Replacing old, inefficient lighting with new LED bulbs can make a big difference to your EPC rating.
- Install double-glazing – Installing double-glazed windows will help to keep heat in and reduce energy loss.
- Insulate your property – Adding insulation to walls, ceilings, and floors will help to keep heat in and reduce energy bills.
- Upgrade your heating system – Installing a more efficient heating system will help to lower your energy bills and improve your EPC rating.
- Upgrade your windows and doors – Replacing old, inefficient windows and doors with new energy-efficient ones will help to reduce heat loss and improve your EPC rating.
Making these improvements to your commercial property will help to improve its EPC rating and make it more energy efficient.
What do the results of an EPC mean?
An EPC, or Energy Performance Certificate, is a document that provides information on the energy efficiency of a commercial property. The results of an EPC can help identify opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of a property and make it more cost-effective to operate.
An EPC is required for all new commercial buildings in the UK and must be displayed prominently in the building so that potential tenants are aware of its energy performance. The certificate must be renewed every 10 years.
The results of an EPC are given as a letter grade from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and G being the least energy-efficient. The certificate also provides an estimate of the annual carbon dioxide emissions for the property.
Commercial buildings are not currently required to meet a minimum energy efficiency rating, but this may change in the future as regulations tighten. In the meantime, landlords and tenants can use EPCs to compare properties and make informed decisions about where to locate their businesses.
Conclusion
We hope this article on EPC information for commercial properties has been helpful. If you are a commercial property owner, it is important to be aware of the energy performance of your property and take steps to improve it where possible. An EPC certificate can be a valuable marketing tool, as well as help you save money on your energy bills. If you would like more information on EPCs or would like to book an assessment for your property, please get in touch.