Tips to improve your Commercial EPC rating
Commercial buildings in the UK are required to obtain an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when they are constructed, sold, or rented. The Commercial EPC displays the energy rating on a scale of A to G and is valid for 10 years. As soon as the building is being offered up for sale or rent, it becomes the seller or landlord’s responsibility to make the EPC available to the renter or buyer free of charge. A Commercial EPC in Bristol is necessary before the building can be put on the market. So how do you improve your Commercial EPC rating?
This post will explain if you need a Commercial EPC.
As well as meeting regulations, improving commercial EPC ratings also boosts a property’s value. EPCs are meant to inform potential buyers and tenants of a building’s energy performance. Since most tenants are responsible for paying their energy bills, a lot of them would appreciate an energy-efficient building.
So, how do you improve your Commercial EPC rating?
Make Your Lighting Energy Efficient
Inefficient lighting is one of the biggest contributors to a low score on any EPC rating – and to CO2 emissions. This should be one of the first areas you need to address in your commercial property.
Both general building lighting and display lighting are considered during commercial EPC assessments. Offices, shops, and warehouses often suffer from poor natural light and have to use a large amount of electrical lighting. In this case, it’s really important to find sustainable options that are both inexpensive and energy-saving.
Simply by converting to LED lighting systems, you could save up to 50% on your lighting costs.
You could also consider adding occupancy sensors or daylight harvesting lights, which alter the amount of light given out by a fixture to supplement the natural lighting available. This helps prevent wasting unnecessary electricity in the middle of the day and when employees leave for the day.
Use Energy-Saving Heating Methods
The heating system that you use in your commercial building can play a huge role in getting you a better EPC rating.
The first step is to ensure you have a record of your systems. A commercial EPC assessor will use key information such as fan size and airflow to estimate whether or not you need to upgrade the system.
You should ensure that you have an efficient air-conditioning unit, especially if that is the primary system used for heating. If you don’t have a central heating system, consider getting one that is incredibly efficient.
Insulate your Walls & Roof
If you are losing heat, then your EPC rating will drop. A well-insulated loft and cavity wall can improve your Commercial EPC rating. Just because you have insulation doesn’t guarantee a good rating. It needs to be professional and thick (the recommended depth for loft insulation is 270mm). Cavity wall insulation, on the other hand, needs to be done using solid brick or metal-clad properties.
Don’t forget to insulate the roof as well, especially for warehouses and industrial buildings. Other than improving EPC rating, proper insulation also helps to improve performance by reducing noise pollution.
Invest in Renewable Sources of Energy
If you’re looking for a guaranteed, long-term solution to improve your commercial EPC rating, switching to renewable energy sources is another good option. Installing solar panels to power your heating system is particularly effective.
Commercial buildings use energy more consistently, particularly during the day so demand coincides with peak supply.
As a result, you can reduce your reliance on artificial sources of energy and bump up your EPC rating.
Document your Commercial EPC improvements
This is absolutely key to get the best rating. Ensure that any improvement works have appropriate documentation in order for the EPC assessor to include them in the Commercial EPC.
If the improvement can’t be seen, or the model number is not readily available, then it cannot be included in the energy performance certificate. Try to ensure things like u-values, model numbers, air-tightness, extraction rates, etc are available wherever possible.
Please note the contents of this post are given for information only. Legal advice should always be sought in relation to specific circumstances.
