Question 1

What is a Net Zero Carbon Report?

Accepted Answer

A Net Zero Carbon Report assesses the current energy and carbon performance of a commercial property and identifies a practical pathway towards reducing its operational carbon emissions. British EPC uses detailed building energy modelling to test improvement measures before works are undertaken, helping property owners understand what can realistically be achieved and where investment should be prioritised.

Question 2

Why does a commercial property need a Net Zero strategy?

Accepted Answer

A Net Zero strategy provides a structured approach to reducing energy consumption, carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. For property owners and investors, it can also support long-term asset planning by identifying future improvement requirements and helping capital expenditure to be directed towards measures that deliver meaningful improvements in building performance.

Question 3

What does a Net Zero Report include?

Accepted Answer

Our reports can include a baseline energy and carbon assessment, EPC rating progression, BER/TER and BPER/TPER analysis, renewable energy modelling, carbon reduction calculations, recommended improvement measures, indicative energy savings and a phased decarbonisation pathway. The exact scope is tailored to the property and the client's objectives.

Question 4

How is a building's current carbon performance assessed?

Accepted Answer

We establish a baseline by reviewing the building fabric, glazing, heating and cooling systems, ventilation, heat recovery, lighting, controls and renewable technologies. Existing EPC and SBEM performance can also be reviewed alongside available energy information to build a clearer picture of the property's current performance.

Question 5

What improvements are considered in a Net Zero Report?

Accepted Answer

Every building is different. Measures may include improvements to the building fabric and glazing, LED lighting and controls, upgraded ventilation and heat recovery, replacement of fossil-fuel heating, high-efficiency heat pumps or VRF/VRV systems and renewable technologies such as solar PV. Measures are modelled to establish their effect before significant investment is committed.

Question 6

Does a Net Zero Report include EPC improvement modelling?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Where appropriate, British EPC can model how different improvement measures affect the property's EPC performance. This allows owners to understand the potential progression of the building's EPC rating alongside reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Question 7

Can a Net Zero Report help improve an EPC rating?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many measures that reduce operational energy demand and carbon emissions can also influence the building's calculated EPC performance. We can model different improvement scenarios to identify which measures are likely to have the greatest effect on the EPC rating before works are commissioned.

Question 8

What is a decarbonisation pathway?

Accepted Answer

A decarbonisation pathway is a structured programme for progressively reducing a building's carbon emissions. Rather than attempting every improvement at once, measures can be prioritised and phased according to their impact, cost, building lifecycle and planned capital expenditure.

Question 9

Do you model heat pumps, VRF/VRV and solar PV?

Accepted Answer

Yes. British EPC can model low-carbon technologies including air-source heat pumps, high-efficiency VRF/VRV systems and solar PV alongside improvements to lighting, ventilation, controls and the building fabric. Different combinations can be compared to determine their effect on energy, carbon and EPC performance.

Question 10

Who uses a Net Zero Report?

Accepted Answer

Our reports are designed for commercial property owners, landlords, investors, developers and asset managers who need to understand the current performance of an asset and the practical options available to improve it. They can support refurbishment planning, capital investment decisions, EPC improvement strategies and longer-term decarbonisation planning.

Net Zero Carbon Report

Expert Advice. Competitive Pricing. No Obligation.

What is a Net Zero Carbon Report

Explore our in-depth guidance below.