Planning, building and the environment

Energy Performance of Buildings

New measures to improve the energy performance of our buildings

Our buildings are responsible for almost 50 per cent of the UK's energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Communities and Local Government is introducing measures in England and Wales to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings, including:

introducing energy performance certificates for properties providing A-G efficiency ratings and recommendations for improvement
requiring public buildings to display energy certificates
requiring inspections for air conditioning systems
giving advice and guidance for boiler users

The reforms are currently being rolled out. From 1 October 2008 all properties - homes, commercial and public buildings - when bought, sold, built or rented will need an EPC. Larger public buildings will also need to display an energy certificate.

This work is part of European legislation - the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive - which all member states must adopt.

Latest news

a new radio and newspaper advertising campaign (see poster attached below) is currently underway to press home the message that from October 2008 all buildings when sold, rented or built will need an Energy Performance Certificate.
new guidance has been published to help public authorities and institutions introduce Display Energy Certificates (DECs) in their buildings.

E-mail: help@epduk.info
Helpline number: 0845 365 2468