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Public buildings must display energy efficiency

Catherine Deshayes

Schools, hospitals, police stations and other public venues face prosecution if they do not display the energy efficiency of their buildings

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are one of the more popular elements of the controversial Home Information Packs (HIPs).

The certificates convey summary information about the potential energy performance of a building, its fabric and services.

The Energy Performance Certificate gives an A to G rating - called the Asset Rating - of energy performance based on CO2 emissions and includes recommendations for improvement.

EPCs will be accompanied by a Recommendation Report highlighting measures which, if adopted, have the potential to save energy and money.

The Display Energy Certificate and advisory report sections highlight the current energy efficiency of a building and advise on potential improvements.

According to new Government legislation, almost all public buildings such as schools, councils and hospitals, that are more than 1000 square metres in size, are required to obtain both the certificate and the report and display it in a public place by October 1^st 2008.

Failure to get a certificate could result in a £500 fine, and being caught short without a report, could incur a whopping £1,000 fine. Certificates are valid for one year, and reports for up to seven years.

Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Reports can only be produced by a qualified and accredited non-domestic energy assessor.

David Bailey, a Partner at chartered architect NJSR, who are certified to produce the certificates and reports, said: "It is imperative that authorities are well versed in the new laws and are prepared for the deadline."

"There will be no second chance after October. Guidance from industry professionals will go a long way to wiping out the possibility of being fined further down the line."

Photo by vancanjay