Energy Performance of Buildings

Measuring your Carbon Footprint

Nearly 50% of the UK's energy consumption (33% worldwide) arises from the way in which our 25 million buildings are lit, heated and used.

Even comparatively minor changes in the energy performance of and the way which we use each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption, and hence, carbon emissions.

In 1997 many countries around the world recognised the growing problems of ever increasing levels of greenhouse gases and agreed to take action to reduce this problem. These countries signed up to the Kyoto Protocol which agreed a set of measures to reduce C02 emissions.

The UK Government is leading the introduction of a number of energy and cost savings measures to make all buildings more efficient. The measures are being applied across all European Union countries and are in line with the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD). The energy saving measures are three key areas:


1. Air-Conditioning Systems

Many commercial buildings and an increasing number of homes have air conditioning systems, which will be required to be carefully maintained and managed in order that they do not consume too much energy. Measures are being introduced to ensure that systems are regularly inspected, and will include an assessment of efficiency, a review of their sizing and advice on improvements or replacements and alternative solutions. By 4 January 2009 the first inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred.

2. Boilers

Making businesses and homeowners aware of the energy efficiency of their buildings, and in particular their heating and hot water systems, is an essential part of the Government's programme to reduce energy demand and CO2 emissions from buildings. it is now the recommended good practice to provide the customer with a completed energy efficiency checklist, during a service or maintenance visit. This provides them with basic information about the energy efficiency of their heating and hot water system and an indication of whether the customer would benefit from a more thorough assessment of their system.

Domestic checklists

The checklists have been developed in conjunction with key members of the heating and hot water manufacturing and installation industries. They have been designed to be simple, quick to complete and should be left with the customer.

Business checklists

The checklist for businesses provides a record of the main appliances in the system. As the efficiency of appliances varies considerably depending on age and how they are maintained, a simple set of questions about the system controls and boilers gives an indication of whether further expert advice on the heating and hot water systems improvement would be beneficial.

3. Certificates

Energy certificates rate the energy performance of a building. The idea is similar to the well-established energy labels for the sale of white goods such as fridges and washing machines. Two types of energy certificate are required in different circumstances:

3.2 Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for large, public buildings occupied by public authorities or institutions providing a public service to a large number of persons which need to be displayed at all times; and

3.1 Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all buildings when they are constructed, sold or rented out. Its purpose is to record how energy efficient a property is as a building. The certificate will provide a rating of the energy efficiency and carbon emissions of a building from A to G, where A is very efficient and G is very inefficient.

EPCs are produced using standard methods (SAP for dwellings, BREM for all other building types) with standard assumptions about energy usage so that the energy efficiency of one building can easily be compared with another building of the same type. This allows prospective buyers, tenants, owners, occupiers and purchasers to see information on the energy efficiency and carbon emissions from their building so they can consider energy efficiency and fuel costs as part of their investment.

An EPC is always accompanied by a recommendation report that lists cost effective and other measures (such as low and zero carbon generating systems) to improve the energy rating of the building. The certificate is also accompanied by information about the rating that could be achieved if all the recommendations were implemented.

When the construction of a new building is completed, the builder or person responsible for the construction is responsible for obtaining the certificate and providing it to the owner. This is a duty under Building Regulations. This will also apply if a building is converted into fewer or more units and there are changes to the heating, hot water provision or air conditioning/ ventilation services.


Key Dates

6 April 2008: EPCs required for all new or converted homes

1 July 2008: EPCs required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2.

1 October 2008: EPCs required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings
EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.
DECs required for all public buildings >1,000 m2.

Further Information can be found here

Article written by Andrew Mowat, CMA Company Associate