Legislation
Our buildings are responsible for almost 50% of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Our buildings are responsible for almost 50% of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Even comparatively minor changes in the energy performance or the way we use each building would have a significant effect in reducing energy consumption and hence, carbon emissions.
Given the UK Government's support of the Kyoto Protocol and of its challenging targets for the reduction of carbon emissions, reducing the energy consumption attributable to buildings is a key policy objective.
The following measures are being introduced to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, including:
• introducing energy performance certificates for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement
• requiring public buildings to display energy certificates
• requiring inspections for air conditioning systems and
• giving advice and guidance for boiler users.
By 1st October 2008 all properties - homes and commercial - when sold, built or rented will need an energy performance certificate or EPC. Public buildings will also need Display Energy Certificates.
This initiative is the result of European legislation - the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - which all member states must adopt.
The phasing-in of the EPBD measures is provided in the table below:
6 April 2008 EPC's required on construction for all dwellings.
EPC's required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000 m2.
1 July 2008 EPC's required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500 m2.
1 October 2008 EPC's required on the sale or rent of all remaining non-dwellings
EPC's required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.
Display certificates required for all public buildings >1,000 m2.
4 January 2009 First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date*.
4 January 2011 First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date*.
Additional legislation is already under review and is sure to follow. If you want to be kept up to date join our legislation watch scheme and we will send you a regular update outlining any proposed legislation affecting the commercial sector and when it is due to come into force.
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