Introduction This article briefly explains the 2008 changes in Energy performance certificates rules. Domestic property owners, occupiers and agents, non-domestic property owners, occupiers, managers and agents, prospective purchasers and tenants, and the building, heating and air-conditioning industries in England and Wales should be aware of the changes, which are highlighted below. The changes have effect from 1 October 2008.
What the law states From 1 October 2008, all properties when sold, built or rented will need an energy performance certificate (EPC).
Home EPCs form part of the Home Information Pack (HIP). EPCs in HIPs will be valid for a period of three years and not 12 months as was the case prior to October 2008.
An EPCs must be produced for all:
Homes - including those that were on the market before the introduction of EPCs;
Commercial buildings. However, for non-domestic buildings on the market before 1 October 2008 - and remaining on the market - you have until 4 January 2009 to produce an EPC. If you sell or rent out the building during the transition period, you must commission and provide an EPC as soon as reasonably practical to do so;
Public buildings: those of 1,000 square metres and above must prominently display the energy certificates.
Air-conditioning systems Air-conditioning systems over 250 kilowatt (kW) must be inspected before 4 January 2009. Air-conditioning systems over 12kW must be inspected before 4 January 2011.
Access to EPC registers will be extended to:
The Energy Saving Trust (which will have access to names and energy ratings to offer the Green Homes Service);
Energy assessors: who will be permitted to search by address;
Members of the public to see whether an EPC has been produced for a non-domestic building.
The new rules also unify and simplify the arrangements for calculating as-built CO2 emission rates when giving a building control body an asset rating for a new building.
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