Energy performance certificates are here

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are compulsory for all house sales in Northern Ireland from the end of June 2008.

The purpose of these certificates is to depict an energy rating for the building – similar to the colour coded ratings on electrical appliances – and to recommend how to improve that rating. Seeing the building’s energy efficiency depicted clearly should encourage people to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings in which they live and work.

Commenting on the introduction of EPCs Finance Minister, Nigel Dodds said: “There are two major benefits of EPCs. Improvements made as a result of EPC’s will help to reduce Northern Ireland’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, homes that are more energy efficient should also be cheaper to run and be more attractive to prospective owners.

“From the end of 2008 larger public buildings will have to display Energy Performance Certificates and inspections will also examine air-conditioning systems.”

Energy Performance Certificates will be required for all new constructions from the end of September and all property sales and rentals by the end of the year. The introduction of these requirements fulfils an obligation placed on all Member States by an EU Directive on the energy performance of buildings.

The Department of Finance & Personnel has hosted a series of seminars throughout Northern Ireland since April 2008. Representatives of the local building and property professions as well as members of the public had the opportunity to hear detail about the certificates. At some of these seminars attendees had the opportunity to meet the Accreditation Schemes which license trained energy assessors, the Awarding Bodies which provide the training and Landmark which maintains the register of EPCs and accredited assessors.

If you missed these events, there will be a further opportunity to engage with the Accreditation Schemes and the writers of the requirements at the event on 26 June. This free event will take place between 9.30am and 3.00pm in the Confex Centre, Stormont Hotel, Belfast.

You can find out more about this event and about EPCs by visiting www.epb.dfpni.gov.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) Regulations (NI) 2008 were made on 10 April 2008. They introduce a requirement to provide an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) when a building is constructed, sold or rented.
2. An EPC may only be produced by a trained and accredited assessor. National Occupational Standards have been developed by Asset Skills (the Sector Skills Council for the Property, Facilities Management, Housing and Cleaning industries) to define the skills and knowledge required to apply to join an accreditation scheme and become licensed to practice as an Energy Assessor. National calculation methodologies used in the calculation of energy performance and the production of Energy Performance Certificates have been developed from software which is used to demonstrate compliance with the Building Regulations
3. The Regulations provide for a three-phased implementation of the certification requirements as follows:
   30 June 2008: Sale of existing dwellings
   30 September 2008: Construction of new buildings
   30 December 2008: Rental of existing buildings; sale of existing non-dwellings.
4. In addition to the production of EPCs, the Regulations also introduce a requirement for large public buildings that are visited by the public to display prominently a Display Energy Certificate. This is similar to an EPC but derives its rating from the actual energy consumed by the building in a 12-month period.
5. The Regulations also establish an inspection regime for all air conditioning systems over 12 kW output.
6. The Regulations implement the requirements of Articles 7, 9 and 10 of the European Directive 2002/91 on the energy performance of buildings. Other requirements in this Directive were implemented by amendments to the Building Regulations Part F (Conservation of fuel & power) made in August 2006.
7. A communications event is taking place on Thursday 26 June in the Stormont Hotel, Belfast, starting at 10am. The Awarding Bodies and Schemes that accredit energy assessors who are qualified to produce EPCs will be on hand to facilitate those who require EPCs (or those acting on their behalf).
8. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.