View:
Accessible | Standard
The Green Brick - Issue 3
Introduction
Welcome to the March edition of "The Green Brick" the newsletter from the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) team. We are implementing the European Directive in England and Wales and this regular information bulletin aims to keep you in touch with news, progress and events.
EPBD is an EU directive designed to help the UK improve the energy efficiency of its buildings and meet its carbon emission reduction targets. To meet the directive's requirements we are introducing Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) for all properties that are newly built, rented or sold; Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for all public buildings; inspections for air conditioning systems and advice and guidance for boiler users.
Energy Performance Certificates for existing dwellings, except those built to the standards contained in the April 2006 Building Regulations have already been introduced as part of Home Information Packs.
These measures will be further phased in as follows:
| From 6 April 2008 | It will be law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for all buildings larger than 10,000m2 (other than dwellings) when they are sold, rented or built, to provide an Energy Performance Certificate on the sale of a dwelling built to April 2006 Building Regulation standards and to provide an Energy Performance Certificate on the building of all new dwellings. |
| From 1 July 2008 | It will be law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for all buildings larger than 2,500m2 (other than dwellings) when they are sold, rented or built. |
| From 1 October 2008 | It will be law to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for all buildings (including dwellings) when they are sold, rented or built. |
| By 1 October 2008 | Display Energy Certificates (DECs) in Public Buildings will be required. |
| By 4 January 2009 | All air conditioning systems over 250kW must have their first inspection. |
| By 4 January 2011 | All air conditioning systems over 12kW must have their first inspection. |
Progress update
We are fast approaching the next phase of EPBD implementation, with 6 April affecting commercial property over 10,000m2 and domestic new build.
To support the smooth implementation of the Directive, the Government recently announced transitional arrangements for buildings already on the market at 6 April. This means that any building which is on the market before then and remains on the market afterwards will need an EPC by 1 October at the latest. If it is sold or rented out in the meantime, an EPC must be commissioned and then handed over as soon as is practicable.
This measure is intended to make it easier for owners and landlords of large buildings to comply with the legislation.
Ahead of the 6 April go-live date, we have made a number of other announcements. Some of these relate to domestic and non-domestic energy assessment including appointing accreditation schemes with accredited assessors now ready for work, and appointing Landmark to provide the Commercial Register.
To help industry gear up for the coming into force dates we have published a range of guides, as well as working with Asset Skills to host a series of regional events for property and energy practitioners and professionals.
Below is a summary of these and other announcements, together with links to more information.
Accreditation Schemes
In January, we announced details of CLG approved accreditation schemes for Energy Assessors across all remaining strands of EPBD. We have updated our web pages to give full details of accreditation schemes and assessors.
For details of these accreditation schemes see 
Accreditation Standards and Minimum Requirements
Accreditation schemes for assessors providing EPCs for Domestic On-Construction - which become a mandatory requirement on 6 April - have accredited a number of assessors and are processing large numbers of applications. If you are a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) assessor and wish to become accredited by 6 April, you should put in your Accreditation of Prior Experential Learning (APEL) application as soon as you can.
Accreditation schemes for assessors providing EPCs for commercial buildings have a number of accredited assessors and are processing applications they currently have from existing practitioners in the area through the APEL route. If you currently use Simplified Building Energy Method (SBEM) and would like to become accredited by 6 April, please contact one of the approved accreditation schemes immediately for advice on completing your application. If you are interested in qualifying as a non-domestic energy assessor or domestic on-construction assessor, details of the qualifications can be found on the Awarding Body for the Build Environement (ABBE) website and the National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) website.
Commercial Register
The contract for the Commercial Registry has been signed with Landmark Information Group, and we are now in the final delivery testing stages. Accreditation schemes have all successfully submitted dummy lodgements to test their electronic delivery mechanisms. Stroma has today (Wednesday 26 March) submitted the first live lodgement, producing the first legally valid non-domestic EPC.
Domestic Register
The release of the Domestic EPC and Home Condition Report Register for on-construction has progressed smoothly, with all key delivery dates being met.
The go-live date of the register was on the 17th March, is three weeks ahead of the Regulations coming into force. The new release will enable lodgement and retrieval of SAP EPCs and related data.
Keeping You Informed
We have been working hard to provide detailed information to support stakeholders and aid wider public understanding of the different strands of the Directive.
Recent publications are available on the website www.communities.gov.uk/epbd , where you can download a PDF version or find details of how to obtain hard copies.
Publications include detailed guidance on energy performance certificates for the construction, sale and let of non-dwellings (commercial), and a suite of leaflets including:
an overview of EPBD
a builders guide to EPCs and new homes
a guide for businesses on heating and hot water systems We will also soon be publishing guidance on display certificates, rented domestic property and enforcement, as well as leaflets on commercial property and private and social rented housing.
Guide to Financial Support for Improving Energy Efficiency
In partnership with the Energy Savings Trust we have produced a short guide for householders in England and Wales on ways to cut down on energy bills and the financial support available for implementing energy efficiency measures in their homes. This includes the support available for acting on recommendations in the EPC.
Domestic energy assessors can stock up on these and drop them off with property owners when they carry out the energy performance assessment.
More information on financial support
EPBD Events
In partnership with Asset Skills - the Sector Skills agency for the property industry - we are hosting free information events and exhibitions across the country from March to May. CLG Minister, Iain Wright, launched the series of road shows on 3 March in London, followed closely by a second event in Birmingham, and a third in Newcastle. For details of further events and how to register go to the Asset Skills Website.
We are also working with a range of stakeholder organisations to support and sponsor industry events, in addition to providing speakers, staffed stands and publications. Future events include nationwide conferences on EPBD held by ESTA throughout April and May - for further details go to the Esta Website.
Further help and support
If you have any queries not answered by our website, call our helpline on: 0845 365 2468 or e-mail help@epbduk.info
Subscribing
If you did not receive this newsletter directly, but would like to subscribe to further editions please do the following:
1. Register as a user to our Have your say area.
2. Once you are registered, log on and subscribe to the "Green Brick" newsletter by ticking the appropriate box.