Why do I need an EPC
An assessor is required to take very accurate information and measurements of the fabric of the building and every room within a building . This will detail the exact specification of the premises and the performance of the heating or cooling system. The on site assessment may well extend into days as opposed to hours due to the complexity of the information required.
The assessor has to research information on each component to then be able to enter the full data into a government licensed software package. This information and report is then sent online to the appropriate government department who produce a certificate based on the results. The certificate itself indicates the energy efficiency of the building and rates it on a scale of A to G . A being the most energy efficient and G being the least energy efficient. From the results of the report and the data that has been collected the assessor is then able to give recommendations to improve the rating and hence the energy efficiency of the building.
Validity:
An EPC is valid for ten years or until a new certificate is produced following the alteration of a building.
Penalties:
Penalties for failure to comply with the new act can result in fines, which are to be calculated at 12.5% of the rateable value of the building up to a maximum of £5000
DEC
Public buildings, which have an internal area of over 1000m² and are occupied by public authorities or organisations offering services to a large number of people, must display an Energy Certificate (DEC) in a position clearly visible to the visiting public. This certificate must be reviewed annually.
