SAVING ENERGY IS GOOD FOR YOUR ASSETS
THIS April saw the launch of wide-reaching legislation as part of the Government’s drive to reduce carbon emissions and minimise the effects of climate change. Following last year’s introduction of energy efficiency assessments for homes, the law now requires commercial premises to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) at the point of construction, sale or rent. The new rules currently apply to properties with a floor area over 10,000 sqm and the system will be fully implemented in October when a certificate must be obtained for all commercial buildings.
The initiative principally affects commercial property owners and developers, planning to sell or let, who are responsible for obtaining the EPC and face financial penalties if they fail to comply. Only accredited energy assessors registered with a Government approved scheme are qualified to carry out the new surveys, the cost of which will vary considerably depending on such factors as size, complexity, ease of access and the availability of up to date electrical and mechanical plans.
Environmental surveying specialists Wilbourn Associates has prepared for the new legislation well in advance with five staff attending the very first Commercial Property Energy Performance course run by the Building Research Establishment earlier this year. The Sheffield-based company now aims to be the country’s foremost EPC consultancy and has set up a department dedicated to offering expert advice and conducting energy surveys not only at a local level but also nationally.
Environmental surveyor Phil Gelsthorpe, who joined Wilbourn almost three years ago, is among those working towards the new accreditation. Phil Gelsthorpe and his colleagues are studying to qualify as building energy assessors at either levels three or four which, when combined, cover almost every commercial property type from small shops and offices to large retail and industrial premises. The initial group hope to qualify by May and more employees are expected to complete the training in future.
“The aim for Wilbourn’s assessors is to be accredited in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well where slightly different rules and criteria apply,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe “Registering through the BRE allows us to operate in England and Wales but we plan to conduct assessments throughout the UK. A lot of surveying firms seem to be offering the service fairly locally whereas all our services, such as risk assessment and contaminated land management, are already available on a national basis. We want the EPCs to run alongside them which is quite unusual,” he added.
The BRE training course is fairly intensive and involves site visits and practical experience as well as classroom based learning and extensive reading. Despite the extra work on top of his full-time job, Phil Gelsthorpe is finding the experience rewarding. “I have a background in building and construction and part of my training at level 4 involves carrying out actual EPC assessments which is very interesting and something I’ll enjoy doing in future,” he said.
There have been some fears of an initial shortage of qualified assessors but the system is being rigorously monitored to avoid attracting a ‘cowboy element’ who may claim to be capable of conducting surveys with the intention of conning customers. “The main providers of the accreditations have certainly got proper checks in place so it’s being professionally managed and any abuse is very unlikely” said Phil Gelsthorpe.
In addition to evaluating a building’s energy performance and awarding the appropriate rating, assessors also make detailed recommendations about how to improve efficiency in the short, medium and long-term – therefore saving the owners money as well as protecting the environment.
“It’s a bit like the system used for white goods which most people know about but is obviously much more in-depth,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe “The EPCs are enforceable and it’s definitely in an owner’s interests to comply.”
The areas examined during an assessment will include general building construction, insulation, air conditioning, glazing, heating and lighting, among other things. There are plenty of simple steps that can be taken to cut both carbon emissions and energy costs and Wilbourn’s experienced staff can give useful advice to anyone unsure about the legal requirements and implications as well as the advantages of boosting their property’s rating.
According to Phil Gelsthorpe, people are generally becoming more environmentally aware and increasing numbers have some energy saving measures in place with agents in particular showing an improvement and starting to recognise the benefits.
Since plans for the legislation were announced, Wilbourn has received a steady stream of enquiries from people wanting information and advice. “There is still some confusion in the marketplace and the commercial EPCs don’t seem to have been in the public eye as much as the residential ones were although that might change in October when all buildings are affected,” he commented. “The Government has extended the original deadline of April 6 to give a period of grace until October to help the changes go more smoothly,” he added.
Wilbourn provides free commercial EPC quotations and has established a pro forma system on which to base estimates as many factors have to be considered when determining costs. “A two-storey office building for example might have an advanced heating system which will take more time to assess than a basic system in a larger building so it’s quite a complex process,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe. Wilbourn has added a useful EPC question and answer section to its website at www.environmental-surveyors.com which deals with a range of queries about the new legislation and the people and properties affected. For more information about commercial EPCs, or any other environmental surveying services, contact one of Wilbourn’s experienced advisors on 01142 2435500.
For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.
The initiative principally affects commercial property owners and developers, planning to sell or let, who are responsible for obtaining the EPC and face financial penalties if they fail to comply. Only accredited energy assessors registered with a Government approved scheme are qualified to carry out the new surveys, the cost of which will vary considerably depending on such factors as size, complexity, ease of access and the availability of up to date electrical and mechanical plans.
Environmental surveying specialists Wilbourn Associates has prepared for the new legislation well in advance with five staff attending the very first Commercial Property Energy Performance course run by the Building Research Establishment earlier this year. The Sheffield-based company now aims to be the country’s foremost EPC consultancy and has set up a department dedicated to offering expert advice and conducting energy surveys not only at a local level but also nationally.
Environmental surveyor Phil Gelsthorpe, who joined Wilbourn almost three years ago, is among those working towards the new accreditation. Phil Gelsthorpe and his colleagues are studying to qualify as building energy assessors at either levels three or four which, when combined, cover almost every commercial property type from small shops and offices to large retail and industrial premises. The initial group hope to qualify by May and more employees are expected to complete the training in future.
“The aim for Wilbourn’s assessors is to be accredited in Scotland and Northern Ireland as well where slightly different rules and criteria apply,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe “Registering through the BRE allows us to operate in England and Wales but we plan to conduct assessments throughout the UK. A lot of surveying firms seem to be offering the service fairly locally whereas all our services, such as risk assessment and contaminated land management, are already available on a national basis. We want the EPCs to run alongside them which is quite unusual,” he added.
The BRE training course is fairly intensive and involves site visits and practical experience as well as classroom based learning and extensive reading. Despite the extra work on top of his full-time job, Phil Gelsthorpe is finding the experience rewarding. “I have a background in building and construction and part of my training at level 4 involves carrying out actual EPC assessments which is very interesting and something I’ll enjoy doing in future,” he said.
There have been some fears of an initial shortage of qualified assessors but the system is being rigorously monitored to avoid attracting a ‘cowboy element’ who may claim to be capable of conducting surveys with the intention of conning customers. “The main providers of the accreditations have certainly got proper checks in place so it’s being professionally managed and any abuse is very unlikely” said Phil Gelsthorpe.
In addition to evaluating a building’s energy performance and awarding the appropriate rating, assessors also make detailed recommendations about how to improve efficiency in the short, medium and long-term – therefore saving the owners money as well as protecting the environment.
“It’s a bit like the system used for white goods which most people know about but is obviously much more in-depth,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe “The EPCs are enforceable and it’s definitely in an owner’s interests to comply.”
The areas examined during an assessment will include general building construction, insulation, air conditioning, glazing, heating and lighting, among other things. There are plenty of simple steps that can be taken to cut both carbon emissions and energy costs and Wilbourn’s experienced staff can give useful advice to anyone unsure about the legal requirements and implications as well as the advantages of boosting their property’s rating.
According to Phil Gelsthorpe, people are generally becoming more environmentally aware and increasing numbers have some energy saving measures in place with agents in particular showing an improvement and starting to recognise the benefits.
Since plans for the legislation were announced, Wilbourn has received a steady stream of enquiries from people wanting information and advice. “There is still some confusion in the marketplace and the commercial EPCs don’t seem to have been in the public eye as much as the residential ones were although that might change in October when all buildings are affected,” he commented. “The Government has extended the original deadline of April 6 to give a period of grace until October to help the changes go more smoothly,” he added.
Wilbourn provides free commercial EPC quotations and has established a pro forma system on which to base estimates as many factors have to be considered when determining costs. “A two-storey office building for example might have an advanced heating system which will take more time to assess than a basic system in a larger building so it’s quite a complex process,” explained Phil Gelsthorpe. Wilbourn has added a useful EPC question and answer section to its website at www.environmental-surveyors.com which deals with a range of queries about the new legislation and the people and properties affected. For more information about commercial EPCs, or any other environmental surveying services, contact one of Wilbourn’s experienced advisors on 01142 2435500.
For further information about this press release please contact Philip Wilbourn at Wilbourn Associates on 0114 243 5500 / 07973 797011.
