UK Energy Consumption
According to research it’s been said that buildings are responsible for 50 percent of UK’s energy consumption and carbon emissions. This is why Energy Performance Certificates (commercial EPC) for buildings were introduced in England and Wales and then made necessary according to Home Information Packs of the Housing Act 2004. The certificates cover 3 or more bedroom domestic properties in England and Wales and the act has been in effect since 2007. These certificates are valid for 10 years.
These certificates rate the buildings from a scale of A-G according to the energy consumptions and then the same scale is used to show the impact of a building on the environment. D-E are for average property bands, A – defines the most efficient home or building. Homes with better rates have less impact through CO2 emissions. Although these certificates are necessary for all homes and buildings in UK there are properties exempted from this act. Unsafe properties, farm, shop, petrol station, offices, warehouse and properties which are going to be demolished are all exempted.
There is another type of certificate which is called Display Energy Certificates (DEA) which came into effect from 1 October 2008. DEA’s are example charts which show the actual energy usage of a building and the Operational Rating to help people predict about Energy performance of the same type of other buildings as they are clearly visible to the public. There is also an Advisory Report along with DEA where cost effective measures to improve the energy rating of the building are listed. These certificates are valid for one year only however the Advisory Report is valid for seven years.
