An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient your building is using grades from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). The EPC is a guide that would-be buyers or tenants get when they look at a property. Much like the multi-coloured sticker on new appliances, EPCs tell you how energy efficient a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient).

EPCs let the person who will use the building know how costly it will be to heat and light, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be. The EPC will also state what the energy-efficiency rating could be if improvements are made, and highlights cost-effective ways to achieve a better rating. Even if you rent your building, some improvements noted on the EPC may be worth implementing, such as switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs.

You must have a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if:

• You rent out or sell the premises
• A building under construction is finished
• There are changes to the number of parts used for separate occupation and these changes involve providing or extending fixed heating, air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems

• An Energy Efficiency Rating. A Commercial EPC gives a property an energy efficiency rating from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). It indicates the energy efficiency of the buildings fabric and the heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting system.

• Benchmarking. The rating is compared to two bench marks for this type of building: one appropriate for new buildings and one appropriate for existing buildings.

• Technical Information, including the buildings main heating fuel, floor area, building environment and building complexity.

You must display an Commercial Energy Performance Certificate by fixing it to your commercial building if all these apply:

• The total useful floor area is over 500 square meters
• The building is frequently visited by the public
• An EPC has already been produced for the building’s sale, rental or construction

Commercial Energy Performance Certificates are valid for 10 years from when issued.

If you implement any of the energy efficiency recommendations outlined in your EPC, you may wish to get a fresh Commercial Energy Performance Certificate done to include these improvements.

You don’t need a Commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if you can demonstrate that the building is any of these:

• Listed or officially protected and the minimum energy performance requirements would unacceptably alter it
• A temporary building only going to be used for 2 years or less
• Used as a place of worship or for other religious activities
• An industrial site, workshop or non-residential agricultural building that doesn’t use much energy
• A detached building with a total floor space under 50 square metres
• Due to be demolished by the seller or landlord and they have all the relevant planning and conservation consents.

A building is also exempt if all of the following are true:

• It’s due to be sold or rented out with vacant possession
• It’s suitable for demolition and the site could be redeveloped
• The buyer or tenant has applied for planning permission to demolish it