British EPC > What's an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) became a legal requirement in 2008 and must be provided by the vendor of a non-dwelling (restaurant, pub, bar, nightclub, gym etc...) that is being sold, rented or built.

If a transaction takes place without and EPC Trading Standards can impose a maximum fine of up to £5000 & enforce the vendor of the property to provide one.

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is created by inputting data on certain variables including ‘Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning’ (HVAC) into government approved software package (iSBEM or Design Builder) by an accredited energy assessor.

Once complete the Energy Performance Certificate EPC is lodged on the Non-Domestic Energy Performance Certificate Register (Landmark Information Group)

The example Energy Performance Certificate on the right hand side of this page illustrates what the finished certificate looks like.
The results are displayed as a colored bar chart, the 'Greener' the rating the lower the score, the more efficient the building.  The rating is created by comparing the efficiency of the subject against two government benchmarks:

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and associated recommendations enables property owners to identify aspects of a buildings fabric and associated HVAC & lighting systems that can be improved to reduce CO2 emissions.
The government reward property owners who introduce low to zero carbon technologies by discounting business rates by 2.5% across the duration of the year the initiative is introduced.

Example:

Having commissioned an Energy Performance Certificate and discovering that the energy efficiency of his building could be improved & following the recommendations given by his energy assessor Mr Bloggs installs 'Solar Panels' on his property to provide 'water heating' to his business premises.

By taking this simple initiative Mr Bloggs not only saves 2.5% on his annual business rates but also vastly reduces his gas bill together with the CO2 emissions of his business premises.