The EPC looks broadly similar to the energy labels now provided with vehicles and many household appliances. Its purpose is to indicate how energy efficient a building is. The certifi cate will provide an energy rating of the building from A to G, where A is very effi cient and G is the least effi cient. The better the rating, the more energy-efficient the building is, and the lower the fuel bills are likely to be. The energy performance of the building is shown as a Carbon Dioxide (CO2) based index.

Each energy rating is based on the characteristics of the building itself and its services (such as heating and lighting). Hence this type of rating is known as an asset rating.

The asset ratings will refl ect considerations including the age and condition of the building. It is accompanied by a recommendation report, which provides recommendations on using the building more effectively, cost effective improvements to the building and other more expensive improvements which could enhance the buildings energy performance.

What an EPC for a non-dwelling contains

In addition to the asset ratings, EPCs must convey several other key pieces of information:

• reference information – this includes the unique certifi cate reference number (as stored in the central register), and the date of issue of the certificate
• energy assessor details – this includes the assessors name, accreditation number, employers name (or any trading name if self employed) and accreditation scheme
• information on how to complain or how to confi rm that the certificate is genuine – the certificate will provide information on how to register a complaint about an unsatisfactory EPC and how to check the certificate is authentic.

The certificate is accompanied by a report which includes cost-effective recommendations to improve the energy ratings. For each improvement indicative paybacks are listed.

Registering EPCs

All EPCs are stored in a national register. The register is the offi cial place for the storage of all EPCs and is the single source of EPC information for a building. Having a register helps to protect consumers. Those in possession of an EPC, such as building owners or tenants, can verify the authenticity of a certifi cate by using its reference number to check it against the EPC held on
the register under that number.

Once EPCs have been registered they cannot be altered. However, EPCs that are in dispute may be annotated on the register to show that they are under investigation. As data is kept on the register for 20 years, more than one EPC may be stored over a number of years for one building. An EPC may be valid for up to 10 years. If there are other certifi cates for the building on the register that are less than 10 years old only the most recent certifi cate will be valid.

Energy assessors (through their Accreditation Schemes) lodge each EPC after they produce it, and each is given a unique certifi cate reference number. Access to the database is restricted, so only those who have the unique reference number can access the certifi cate registered for a particular building, apart from certain provisions allowing access to accreditation and enforcement bodies, and on an anonymised basis to government.

There are two separate databases within the register, one for dwellings and the other for non-dwellings.

The register is currently operated by Landmark Information Group Limited.

For more information on Commercial Energy Performance Certificates and fequently asked questions Download this Guide