Energy Performance Certificates
Energy Performance Certificates are required from 4th January 2009 for the Commercial or Non-Domestic Buildings in Scotland.
Scotland along with the other EU member nations have an obligation under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to promote improvements in the energy performance of both new and existing buildings. Scientific studies have shown that the world’s natural resources such as oil, gas and solid fuels generate omissions with the main one being CO2 which has a direct contribution to global warming. The Scottish Climate Change Bill has set ambitious targets of reducing CO2 omissions by 80% by 2050. Currently omissions from buildings account for approximately 40% of all CO2 omissions.
The Scottish Government is introducing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) to comply with the Energy Performance of Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2008.
An EPC is a Certificate which states the energy efficiency of a building based on the standardised way in which a building is used. The Certificate is based upon the efficiency of the building and not the way it is used. CO2 ratings are showing in bands from A-G with A being the least polluting. The performance of the measured building is benchmarked against current Building Standards and recommended cost effective improvements.
The cost effective improvements within the EPC will reduce the carbon omissions generated, save energy and make buildings more attractive to prospective buyers or tenants. A building can be made more energy efficient by improving the heating system, insulation or air conditioning system.
The vendor or owner of a building will be responsible for providing the EPC at the time of any sale or lease transaction. However, prudent owners will produce an EPC at the time the building is being offered to the market to allow prospective new owners or occupiers to factor the building’s energy performance into their decision process. The building’s EPC must be available free of charge to any prospective tenant or purchaser.
Any public building greater than 1000m² occupied by Public Authorities or Institutions providing public services that can be visited by the public requires an EPC.
An EPC has a lifespan of 10 years and must be fixed to the building. If however major works are undertaken the building owners may choose to update the Certificate. If the vendor sells or rents the property the same EPC can be passed on if it has been produced within the 10 year period.
EPCs are not required for:-
- Buildings with a total useful floor area of less than 50m².
- Temporary buildings with the lifespan of less than 2 years.
An Energy Performance Certificate must be carried out by an approved organisation. Details of approved organisations and assessors are available via Organisations such as RICS. Graham + Sibbald is an approved Organisation with qualified Energy Assessors.
Local Authorities may serve Enforcement Notices and refer the matter to the Procurator Fiscal which could result in a criminal conviction and a fine of up to £5,000 per building for non-compliance with the new Regulations.
Finally, Graham + Sibbald understand that both the European Union and the Scottish Parliament are currently considering additional measures and requirements to be introduced as part of the EPC Legislation. Graham + Sibbald will keep you updated of any changes in the Regulations.
If you would like to discuss EPCs further or obtain a quotation or if you are unsure about whether an EPC is required then please call your local G+S office.
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Latest News
Graham + Sibbald to support our heroes at Christmas
21/12/2011Graham + Sibbald to support our heroes at Christmas
Leading firm of chartered surveyors, Graham + Sibbald have donated £1000 to help the charity ‘Poppy Scotland - Supporting our Heroes’.
The money has been generated by sending an e-card at Christmas to the company’s clients rather than the more costly process of posting off traditional printed cards. This year Graham + Sibbald decided to donate to Poppy Scotland.
Robert McRae from Poppy Scotland who received the cheque, said he was delighted with this gift as the money will be put to good use for therapy, housing, mobility aids and retraining the veterans. Without these donations, none of this would be possible.
Ian Gillies, Senior Partner at Graham + Sibbald said: “At Graham + Sibbald, the environment and social responsibility rank high on our business agenda. We are delighted therefore to have reduced our carbon footprint by distributing e-cards once again this year, offering Christmas greetings to our clients. We are even more pleased to have been able to make a donation, to Poppy Scotland – Supporting our Heroes, a charity which provides support to ensure Scotland’s ex-Servicemen and women receive the best care and support possible.”
For more information please visit their website, where you can even plant your own virtual poppy for our nation’s heroes: www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
Photo (ltr): Ian Gillies, Senior Partner at Graham + Sibbald, Robert McRae, Scottish Poppy Appeal Organiser.
Glen Eagles Ryder cup 'key views' saved by Graham + Sibbald
20/12/2011Glen Eagles Ryder cup 'key views' saved by Graham + Sibbald
Graham + Sibbald’s Planning Team, acting for a local group – SEAG – was successful in persuading a Scottish Government Reporter to reject the Standingfaulds wind farm proposal.
The proposal would have seen the erection of 8 turbines, each over 100m high near Muthil, which would have been clearly visible in some of the key, iconic “high camera” panoramic views of the Ryder Cup course at the event scheduled for broadcast throughout the World in 2014.
Ian Kelly, Head of Planning at Graham + Sibbald, stated that this was a model wind farm objection project, with the local client group – SEAG – commissioning a full assessment at the earliest possible stage, leading to submissions and presentations to Perth and Kinross Council, followed by submissions to the appeal process.
This early engagement meant that the local group and the Gleneagles Hotel were able to co-operate fully and present a united front at the appeal in support of the refusal of planning permission by the Council. The appeal result, issued on 15th December, reinforced the clear planning policy position that wind farms should only be approved for appropriate sites.
Ian also stated that being able to work alongside the Gleneagles Hotel team raised the overall seriousness of the issues involved.
Bill Thomson, Chair of SEAG, commented that they were delighted with the quality of advice from Graham + Sibbald and with the way that they organised the whole project team including landscape sub-consultants Mark Steele. He continued that, after two years of stress and worry for the local objectors, the result was everything that they could have hoped for. We would not hesitate to recommend the Graham + Sibbald’s Planning Team.
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Deramore Property
Graham + Sibbald were involved in providing full Project Management Services for Deramore Property Group for the property at 95 Bothwell Street, in respect of carrying out measured survey, making application to obtain building warrant and planning consents where appropriate in respect of providing internal office refurbishment.
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- Specialist
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- Alastair Welch
Chevron Group
Graham + Sibbald's specialist Petroleum & Roadside Services Team completed an extensive portfolio valuation exercise on behalf of the Chevron Group's joint venture partnership between Texaco Investment Netherlands Inc & Norsk Hydro ASA, in Scandinavia. Following the valuation, the U.S.-based Chevron Corp. and Norsk Hydro ASA announced the sale of their joint Hydro Texaco gas station chain to Norway's Reitan Servicehandel group. Our portfolio review included the provision of strategic advice in relation to the value of the portfolio for existing use, together with an appraisal of the latent development value of the property base. When considering a disposal of this nature, it is essential that the Company is aware of the true underlying value of its property assets, for alternative use, which can frequently far exceed the value of the properties for their existing use.
- Department:
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- Calum Campbell
