What is EPCs?

The EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requires an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for all buildings. EPCs were introduced for residential property sales as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) for houses with four or more bedrooms from 1 August 2007 and for houses with three or more bedrooms from 1 September 2007.

EPCs for commercial properties were introduced from 6 April 2008.

The introduction of EPCs is following the below timetable.

6 April 2008:

• An EPC is required on construction for all dwellings.
• EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 10,000m².

1 July 2008:

• EPCs are required for the construction, sale or rent of buildings other than dwellings with a floor area over 2,500m².

1 October 2008:

• EPCs required on the sale or rent of all remaining dwellings.
• EPCs required on the construction, sale or rent of all remaining buildings other than dwellings.
• Display Energy Certificates (DECs) required for all public buildings in excess of 1,000m².

By 4 January 2009:

• First inspection of all existing air-conditioning systems over 250 kW must have occurred by this date

By 4 January 2011:

• First inspection of all remaining air-conditioning systems over 12 kW must have occurred by this date