Producing the EPC and recommendation report

This information will be fed into an approved software programme using a government approved energy assessment method. The appropriate software tools for commercial buildings are simplified building energy model (SBEM) or dynamic simulation model (DSM) (even if the building was originally used for residential accommodation). The software produces the certificate and the recommendation report for the building.

Only government approved software may be used to assess the energy performance of a building and to produce the EPC.

The software assesses the energy demands of each individual space in the building in accordance with the activity conducted within that space (e.g. office space, kitchens, storage space, etc). Different activities can result in different periods of occupancy and different required temperatures, as well as varying requirements for lighting and hot water supply. The energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are calculated by considering these demands in relation to the details of the building services.

The energy assessor will need to understand the internal layout of the building and for what purpose it is used. The energy assessor will need to validate (via plans and or a physical survey) zone distances, thermal insulation and building services.

The software will use the information provided by the energy assessor and standard performance tables and will produce the EPC and recommendation report. The recommendation report will help owners and occupiers to improve the energy efficiency of a building. The recommendations only include those improvements that are appropriate for the building that has been assessed. For each recommendation indicative paybacks are noted.

The recommendations are provided in 4 categories: short term payback (less than 3 years); medium term payback (between 3 and 7 years); long term payback (greater than 7 years); other recommendations (based on the energy assessor’s knowledge).

Once the energy assessor has produced the EPC it must be lodged on the central register. Lodging the certificate will generate a certificate report reference number which all valid EPCs must contain. The EPC must also be provided to the person who has commissioned the EPC at this stage.