Commercial EPC: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you find commercial EPC’s confusing? Here we have a bit of information and a few tip to help you by showing our ‘Commercial EPC: Frequently Asked Questions’.
Getting an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a necessary step to take when you place your property on the market. If you haven’t heard of EPCs before or you haven’t sold or let a property in the last decade or so, you may not be aware that your business space must have a Commercial EPC issued prior to marketing it.
What is an EPC?
An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is a standardised assessment of your property. It focuses on the way energy is used, how much of it is wasted and how environmentally friendly your commercial property is. It also gives recommendations for ways to improve the energy efficiency and reduce the costs of running the property.
What is a Commercial EPC?
A Commercial EPC is an Energy Performance Certificate which has been designed specifically for non-residential properties in the United Kingdom. Commercial EPCs involve more stringent inspections of the properties and usually cost slightly more than a Domestic EPC as a result.
Which properties need a Commercial EPC?
If your property is used for non-residential purposes then you must have a Commercial EPC when you market your property. Examples of non-residential properties would be places of commerce such as cafes, restaurants, dentists, computer shops, clothes shops etc.
Why is a Commercial EPC so important?
Commercial EPCs are a key feature of governmental attempts to reduce the total energy use in the UK. In order to comply with European Union legislation which makes it compulsory for every member state to reduce their emissions and energy waste, the Energy Performance Certificate was produced.
What happens if I do not get a Commercial EPC for my property?
If you do not have the appropriate EPC when you market your property, you will face a fine of up to £5000 issued to you by Trading Standards Officers. You will still be legally required to pay for and obtain a Commercial EPC, making non-compliance an expensive mistake to make.
What is checked during the assessment?
The energy performance rating of your commercial property is calculated by taking into account the dimensions of the rooms, the type of heating system, the number and types of lighting installed, the glazing of the windows, the construction fabrics and the type of wall insulation etc. This gives a detailed and comprehensive report for the energy rating of the property.
How long is the Commercial EPC valid for?
Commercial EPCs are valid for the next 10 years after they have been issued. If you make any significant changes to the property during this period it is recommended that you get your property re-assessed. This is due to the fact that major changes to the property will greatly affect the energy performance rating.
How do I get a Commercial EPC?
It is imperative that you get a Commercial EPC for your non-residential property before you market it for sale or for rent. To get the process started, simply fill out our online form and My London Tradesmen will contact companies on your behalf. You will then be given up to 3 quotes so you can make an informed decision on which tradesman to employ.
Commercial EPC: Frequently Asked Questions are common. All of the tradesmen we use have received up to date training and are registered with all the necessary bodies. We only use reputable and trustworthy tradesmen.