The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive states that it is now a legal obligation to arrange Commercial EPCs after the lease, construction or sale of every non dwelling. Buildings included in the enforcement vary from simple retail units to large scale public buildings such as airports and hospitals.

Contact an accredited commercial energy assessor should you would like a Commercial EPC. The consultant will assess the lighting, heating and ventilation within the build and evaluate how they are maintained and controlled. This then enables them to supply the building with an EPC that rates it on an A-G scale, with A being the most energy efficient and G the least. Recipients of Commercial EPS are also given a document outlining steps that could be taken to make the build more energy efficient.

Commercial EPCs allow prospective buyers and tenants to compare buildings in relation to their energy consumption and learn what can be done to enhance energy usage. When a commercial property is being rented or sold, Commercial EPCs have to be provided no later than at the time of a request for a viewing or upon release of marketing material.

Commercial EPCs, which are valid for a decade, can be divided into one of two categories – in the case of new-builds they are enforced by Building Control while existing builds get enforced by Trading Standards departments. Either way, Commercial EPCs are a legal requirement, and must be attained as soon as possible when there is the intention to sell, lease, or build a new commercial property.

Some people may think getting a Commercial EPC is a difficult procedure that requires an extended period of time before it is permitted to market a non dwelling. Yet just one full consultation visit is all that is necessary for a professional commercial energy specialist to prepare the necessary documents. And by obtaining a Commercial EPC in good time, you should escape the fine of 12.5% of the property’s rateable value up to a maximum of £5,000 for not owning a valid EPC.

It is necessary to get Commercial EPCs for so-called “conditioned” properties, meaning buildings surrounded by walls and a roof that also incorporates lights, heating facilities and so on. However, places of worship, temporary builds with under two years of planned use, and low energy consumption structures such as barns are exempt from the Commercial EPC requirement.