An EPC, also known as an Energy Performance Certificate, is a document that evaluates the energy performance of a building. The building will receive different ratings depending on how energy efficient it is, ranging from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Obtaining an EPC certificate is a legal requirement and is an extremely important part of saving on energy consumption and, as a result of this, energy costs.    

Here, we’ll take a look at when specifically an EPC certificate is required, getting a new EPC certificate, and renewing your EPC certificate.  

Getting a new EPC certificate  

Your building will need to be assessed by a qualified assessor who knows exactly what to look for in a commercial building when it comes to energy efficiency.  

The assessment involves looking at the property’s insulation, heating systems, and windows. Let’s take a look at what is assessed in more detail.  

• Building fabric: The construction materials and insulation in walls, roofs, floors, windows, and doors all impact thermal performance.

• Heating and cooling systems: The type, efficiency, and age of boilers, furnaces, air conditioners, and other systems that regulate indoor temperatures.

• Ventilation and air conditioning: The effectiveness of fixed ventilation systems, including mechanical systems that help circulate and condition air.

• Lighting and water heating: The efficiency of lighting fixtures and water heating systems, which contribute to overall energy consumption.

• Renewable energy sources: The presence and impact of renewable installations, such as solar panels, which can boost energy efficiency ratings.

Once the assessor has taken a look at all of these elements, your building will be given an EPC rating, depending on how energy efficient it is.

Who needs an EPC certificate?  

Since 2008, EPC certificates have been a legal requirement for properties, similarly to a gas safety certificate. There are, however, specific times an EPC certificate is necessary in commercial situations, for example:  

• If you rent out or are in the process of selling the building  

• If the building was under construction and is now finished  

• If specific parts of the building need to be adapted to meet safety and heat requirements for occupants  

There are also specific times when you need to display your EPC certificate once obtained. If your commercial building is over 500 square metres of floor area, if the building is frequently visited by the public, and if there is already an EPC certificate that has been produced for the building’s sale, rental, or reconstruction.  

When is an EPC certificate not required?

There are, however, times when EPC certificates are not necessary, for example, when a building cannot be modified to make it more energy efficient. Some listed buildings are also excluded from needing one.

Here is a list of the types of buildings that don’t need an EPC certificate:  

• Places of worship

• Buildings that are going to be demolished

• Low-energy buildings, for example, buildings on industrial sites and non-residential agricultural buildings

• Buildings with less than 50 square metres of floor space

The benefits of obtaining an EPC certificate  

There are definite benefits to obtaining an EPC certificate, besides abiding by regulations. EPC certificates can add massive value to your commercial building as buyers or investors will have full transparency over the building’s energy usage and will have a better understanding of how the building consumes energy and its energy cost.    

Further to this, there are many environmental benefits to making sure your commercial building has access to an EPC certificate. By making sustainable energy a priority, you’ll be playing your part in the Net Zero initiative implemented by the government and contributing to cleaner energy.  

Understanding EPC ratings  

As we mentioned above, EPC ratings range from A-G, with A being the most efficient and G being the least efficient.  

Rating A - Highly energy efficient

Buildings that are rated ‘A’ have excellent insulation, state-of-the-art heating and cooling systems, and will often use renewable energy technologies like solar panels.  

An example of this kind of building would be an office that has just been constructed using advanced materials, triple-glazed windows, and a ground-source heat pump. This will result in low energy bills.  

Rating B - Very good performance

Buildings that are rated as B will have some minor improvements that need to be made before being rated ‘A’. Buildings in this category will feature modern insulation and efficient systems.  

An example in this category would be a recently updated commercial building with double glazing, some renewable integrations, and modern HVAC systems.  

Rating C - Average energy efficiency

This rating is common amongst older buildings or buildings that have had some improvements. These buildings offer moderate energy performance with plenty of room for upgrades in insulation and system efficiency.  

An example of a C-rated building is an office building with standard insulation and heating systems that could benefit from further modernisation.  

Rating D - Below average

Buildings rated as ‘D’ are less efficient because of older construction techniques, worse insulation, or outdated heating and cooling systems. An example of a building in this category is a building that is decades old with minimal insulation and heating that wastes energy.  

Rating E - Inefficient

Energy costs are extremely high with buildings rated as ‘E’ due to insulation issues and outdated or inefficient systems. An example of a building rated as ‘E’ is one that suffers from high energy consumption because of old windows and outdated heating systems.  

Rating F - Very poor energy performance

Buildings rated as ‘F’ are usually built with outdated building fabric and systems that need vast improvements to boost their performance. An example of an ‘F’-rated building is a commercial building/space with poorly insulated windows and walls, inefficient boilers, and very few modern energy-saving features.  

Rating G - Least Efficient

Buildings rated as ‘G’ have little to no insulation, very old heating systems, and are extremely inefficient when it comes to energy. An example of a building rated as an F’ is an old warehouse or an industrial building with single-glazed windows.  

How to improve your EPC rating  

There are a few things that you can do to improve the EPC rating of your commercial building. Firstly, you’ll need to establish the areas for improvement once the building has been assessed. Generally, however, you could do the following to improve the EPC rating of your building, such as:  

• Enhance building fabric: Ensure the building is efficiently insulated to prevent heat loss by upgrading the insulation in the walls, roofs, and floors and installing double or triple-glazed windows.  

• Upgrade heating and cooling systems: Lower the building’s energy consumption by replacing outdated boilers or HVAC systems with high-efficiency models (condensing boilers or heat pumps).

• Install renewable energy solutions: Install solar panels to reduce reliance on traditional energy sources.  

• Improve ventilation systems: Install mechanical systems that will ensure efficient air circulation without losing heat.

• Switch to energy-efficient lighting: Reduce your energy usage and lower its overall consumption by replacing older lighting with LED fixtures.

• Regular maintenance and monitoring: Install energy management systems or smart metres to track the performance of your commercial building and keep your systems well-maintained.

Renewing an EPC certificate  

There will come a time when you’ll need to think about renewing an EPC certificate. The following reasons will trigger an EPC certificate renewal:  

• Renovations and modifications  

• Expiration of your current EPC  

• Change of ownership or tenancy  

• Legal and regulatory changes  

• Voluntary updates  

• Requirements for financial incentives  

How to renew an EPC certificate  

Here are the steps you need to take when renewing an EPC certificate:  

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• Find an accredited assessor  

• Schedule the assessment  

• Go through the assessment process again  

• The assessor will register the new EPC certificate on the national database  

• Implement recommendations  

For more information on sustainable energy solutions, contact our team at Sustain Solar Commercial on 0333 880 0891 today!

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